Read after the Liturgy's Bible

On Thursday, the Third Week of the Great Lent

Includes an exhortationto follow God's words;

Inspired by His saying in the Bible's chapter: "If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person… There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words" [John 12: 44-50]

Our master may He be glorified demonstrated the value of righteousness and spoke openly about how some pretend to have it. He spoke about how their prayers and fasts were futile in this manner. He reprimanded those who had been listening to His preaching without modifying their behavior accordingly: why do you call me Lord Lord and then not do what I say? By this we conclude that listening to God's teaching and admitting it would do us no good if we do not act accordingly in a way that rids us from our sins. Those who only listen do not rid themselves of their sins; those who act accordingly however are the ones whose sins get forgiven. Apostle Paul says: "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous" [Romans 2:13]. The Master Himself says: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" [Matthew 7:21].

Therefore contentment with sayings over actions is a chronic decease that has invaded the human body since old times. The church was not immune to it throughout its entire history. It had been plagued with this evil at the times of Prophet Ezekiel as He said: "My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain" [Ezekiel 33:31]. At the time of the apostles it was there as well since Apostle James says to the believers: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" [James 1: 22-27].

In these times as well it is still perceived as many have strayed away from the road leading to life. Many are those who pretend to be religious and act pious! They settle for words over actions. To those I say that the name of religion and its external picture will not do you any good if your hearts are full of evil and your lifetime is tamed with the profanity of sin. The greatest proof that pietism is in the heart of the man is obedience to God and following His commandments. Therefore the Master may He be glorified says: "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete" [Luke 6: 46-49].

Now tell me, dear beloved, on which foundation have you built the house of your Eternal salvation? Was is on a foundation of rock which is hearing the good news of salvation and believing all what God has spoken, as well as his basic lessons including incarnation, trinity and unity then repentance and the rest of the secrets along with the obligation to pray and fast; also admitting the authenticity of the Christian religion and all of its rituals. Do you think that all I mentioned alone would do you good without good deeds? The answer is that without deeds there is no benefit at all. The house which was built on the ground without foundations falls quickly whenever there is wind and flood. And so is religion that only involves listening, examination and knowledge, it quickly falls because it was founded on external acknowledgement without any deeds. This can only bring harm and no benefits. What greater harm for a man than to loose himself even if he wins the whole world?! Deeds then dear beloved are a necessity for both the upper and lower worlds and especially for the man. The work of God is that He created a marvelous world and is still working as He says: "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working" [John 5: 17]. The angels also are constantly working to serve God and protect humans. The sun and the planets are moving, the land is working through its plantations and the air with its molecules. The clouds are working by bringing the rain in its timing. Therefore everything that exists has a job of its own. The trader for example works hard to develop his trade and generate even if a small profit. The manufacturer also works to perfection his goods, as well as the peasant who cares for his plantations. All of them work for the sake of obtaining a perishable thing that expires.

If this is the case for material things so you dear one should not be content with sayings and knowledge with regards to spiritual matters in order to get Eternal Life. The hungry man does not get satisfaction out of looking at food as well as the thirsty man out of seeing water. In these regards, the apostle says: "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" [James 2: 15-17].

If things were not the way I mentioned, show me then your faith through your deeds and your submission to the commandments of your God. Tell me why when you get to church, you only bend your head in front of God's alter instead of kneeling especially for His Mighty Glory? Why is it that instead of standing in fear and fright, your sit there carelessly? When the Holy Bible is being read, instead of listening carefully, why do you whisper to your friends? When the cross or the priest is passing by while carrying the body of the Lord, why do you not kneel in veneration even with your head? Why do you not make the sign of the cross on your front when you hear that it was God who created you? Do you see how knowing the commandments without deeds would do us no good?

We should then dear beloved not settle for sayings without deeds. We should pursue doing good deeds while following the commandments of our God; thus setting our will on fire with the torch of His love Almighty. We should keep on praying, fasting and helping the poor, while going to church regularly to pray and take the Holy Communionand being adequately prepared at all times. This is to obtain Eternal Life in His Eternal Kingdom, may He be glorified forever, amen.