His Beatitude Onuphry explains spiritual benefits of sorrows and illnesses
The UOC Primate urged Christians not to lose heart during trials, but to preserve love for God and their neighbors, give thanks to the Lord, and live in peace.
On August 30, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine spoke about the spiritual fruits a Christian should bear during sorrows, illnesses, and other trials. The UOC Primate made the remarks in his Sunday sermon.
Explaining the Gospel parable of the wicked tenants, His Beatitude recalled that the Lord expects members of the Church to bear spiritual fruit. The Apostle Paul lists these as love, joy, peace, patience, mercy, faith, meekness, and self-control.
According to the Primate, it is especially important to preserve these qualities when difficult times come in life. “We must not lose heart in sorrows. We must rejoice and thank God. We must love God and love our neighbor,” His Beatitude Onuphry stressed.
He noted that sorrows and illnesses help a person rid himself of what is sinful and return to the right path. “Sorrows must not destroy in us our love for God and our neighbor,” the Primate said, adding that during trials one should strive to live in peace with God and those around them.
His Beatitude Onuphry also recalled that the Church is a God-human organism whose Head is Christ. According to him, living by God’s commandments helps a person avoid grave falls, pass through earthly life worthily, and prepare for eternity.
As the UOJ previously reported, His Beatitude explained why the death of the Mother of God is called the Dormition.
