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November 2, 2009
New York: A Sermon by His Grace, Bishop Jerome, on the 21st Sunday after Pentecost

On Sunday, November 1st, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of St. John of Kronstadt, His Grace, Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral. Upon completion of the Liturgy, His Grace delivered the following sermon:

"A sower went out to sow his seed" (Luke 8:5)

The Gospel tells us what the seed is, and about the various hearers, but does not directly identify the Sower or the act of sowing. The Sower, of course, is Christ, in the person of His Church.

As for “sowing,” it is the opposite of burying: instead of being buried in one lump, the seed is scattered over the whole field. So the Church scatters the Seed, not just beyond the people of Israel, but also over the whole year for our edification. And the conclusion of the Gospel further explains it for us: so that we may bring forth fruit in patience. We are called on to be constant.

The sowing of the seed is scattered both horizontally (over the whole human race, over the entire year) and vertically (in depth each day). If we look at the list of saints for each day, we get a microcosm of Church history. For example, today the Church celebrates:

1) the Prophet Joel, who foretold the coming of the Messiah and how Christ would renew all;

2) the martyr Ouar (Uvar, Ware) the Egyptian,

3) the hieromartyr Sadoth of Persia,

4) the venerable John of Ryla in Bulgaria, and

5) St. John of Kronstadt.

Although the main feast of St. John of Kronstadt is in early January by the new calendar, today was the day he celebrated his nameday, since he was named John in honor of St. John of Ryla. But I doubt that St. John of Kronstadt would have wanted to overshadow or abolish the memory of his patron Saint. So, in my parish in Milwaukee, we used to combine the services for both. Likewise, on Dec. 25 we held a combined service for St. Spyridon and St. Herman of Alaska.

For the Greeks and some others, St. Spyridon, who was one of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, and a wonderworker, is a great Saint, on a par with St. Nicholas (his contemporary). We should not think of the more recently canonized Saints as being greater than those who went before.

Another mistake some of us make is “taking a vacation” from church after Easter. Yes, we may be tired out after the long services in Lent and Holy Week, but it is a pity to miss out on the most joyous time of the Church year, by skipping the services of Paschal time. It’s better to be “moderate, but constant” – moderate, perhaps, in our Lenten attendance, but also moderate in continuing to come to church after Pascha. Remember that a great deal can be achieved “po nemnozhku, no vse vremia.”

If we study a little at a time, but constantly, we can learn a lot: if we save up our various resources, we can save a good deal; if we exercise, physically or at any occupation, we can go far. So too if we pray “a little at a time, but constantly,” we can gain a great benefit.

It’s wrong when some suppose that having been baptized, “ischerpyvaet.” There is no more sense to that, than supposing we need only to be accepted by a university, and can then forget about going there or attending classes, or that we need only to be listed as a doctor's patient, and need not see him, or worry about our health. The “scattering” means that we need, not only to receive the seed, but to be constant in nurturing it. And then, we can “bring forth fruit in patience.”

Amen.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese