The Lord Always Receives the Truly Repentant
February 11
(A homily about one who robbed the dead and was again saved through repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 11
(A homily about one who robbed the dead and was again saved through repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
People who have fallen into grave sins, but have washed them away with tears, sincerely repented of them, and firmly set themselves on the path of correction, should never think that the Lord will not forgive their former heavy sins or show them His mercy. Let them know that if they persevere on the path of virtue, the Lord will certainly forgive them and will no longer remember their former iniquities.
The abbot of one of the monasteries of Jerusalem, named John, related the following:
“A young man came to me,” he said, “who, weeping bitterly, said: ‘Father, receive me; I wish to repent.’ Seeing him in terrible sorrow, I said to him, ‘Why are you so distressed? Reveal to me the cause of your grief, and the Lord will ease it for you.’
The young man answered, ‘Oh, I have sinned terribly.’ And sighing deeply, he began to beat his breast and, from intense agitation, could speak no further. I did not cease urging him on, giving him examples of sinners who had repented and been forgiven, and at last I succeeded. The young man confessed.
‘Once,’ he said, ‘I heard that the daughter of one of the elders of our city had died and had been buried in costly garments. I went to the cemetery, entered the cave where the maiden lay, and, having completely stripped her, was about to flee; but the dead girl firmly seized my right hand and said to me: “O man! Have you not feared God and the coming Judgment, that you have stripped me? Know that you will answer for me on the dreadful Day of Judgment. And even now, how will you, after your crime, receive the most pure Body and holy Blood of Christ?”
I was terrified and cried out, “Let me go! I will never do such a thing again!” But she held me tightly and continued: “No, you shall not leave here, and you will suffer here with me for a long time, until you cast out your evil soul here!”
I began to swear by Almighty God that I would never again do such a thing, and I shed many tears. At last the maiden said: “Very well. Give me your word that from now on you will not only cease from evil deeds, but that you will renounce the world, become a monk, and spend the rest of your life laboring for the Lord.”
I swore and promised her this, and she released me.’
“The young man,” the abbot continued, “after this came to me and told me what you have just heard. I tonsured him and clothed him in the monastic habit and enclosed him in a cave. He spent the rest of his life in repentance, received from God assurance of his forgiveness and of his approaching end, and, after a brief illness, departed to the Lord.”
Therefore, brethren, if you sincerely repent of your sins and begin a new life, no matter how grievous your former sinful wounds may be, the Lord will heal them and receive you into communion with Himself.
“Come unto Me,” He says, “all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
O the sweetness of Thy voice, O Lord, Thou who forgivest all, who callest all, and who showest mercy to all! Yes, wondrous is the height of heaven, awe-inspiring the depth of the sea, immeasurable the vastness of the universe, but equally wondrous and awe-inspiring is the love of God toward us sinners. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
