Homily on Galatians 2:16-20 and Luke 8:41-56
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s readings from the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 2:16-20) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 8:41-56) present us with profound lessons on the transformative power of faith. They call us to a deeper union with Christ, one that is not simply belief, but a life lived in complete trust and surrender to Him. Let us delve into these Scriptures, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Fathers.
Think of a father, deeply religious, who attends church every Sunday with his family. He follows all the rules: he fasts, he prays, and he never misses a service. But despite all his dedication, something feels empty, and he cannot quite put his finger on it. He knows the doctrines of his faith but seems distant from the joy and the deep, living faith he once had.
One day, his young daughter becomes gravely ill. Doctors cannot find a cure, and all the father’s religious routines seem powerless against her suffering. In his desperation, he suddenly finds himself on his knees in prayer not the formal, composed prayers he is used to, but a raw, heartfelt cry: “God, I need You. I cannot do this alone.”
In that moment, he realises that it is not the rituals or the rules that will save his daughter; it is only faith in the living God. Like Jairus in Luke 8:41-56, who fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded for his daughter’s life, this father had to set aside everything he thought he knew and trust in Jesus alone.
This story ties into Paul’s message in Galatians 2:16-20. Paul reminds us that we are not justified by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. All the rules and rituals of our faith are meant to point us to a deeper relationship with Christ, not replace it.
In his Epistle, St. Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the essence of the Christian life: a mystical union with Christ that transforms our very being. St. John Chrysostom teaches that these words speak of a total surrender, where the believer’s old self is crucified, and a new life begins in Christ. Here, faith is not just an intellectual agreement but an active participation in the death and resurrection of our Lord.
St. Paul contrasts the works of the law with the faith of Christ, reminding us that we are not justified by our own efforts but by our union with Christ through faith. As St. Cyril of Alexandria states, “The law leads us to Christ, but it is faith that unites us with Him.” This faith allows Christ to live within us, guiding our actions and renewing our hearts.
In today’s Gospel, we witness two powerful miracles: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. These stories are bound together by the common thread of faith in Christ, a faith that brings healing and life even in the face of despair.
The woman who suffered for twelve years represents our own human struggle. She had sought help from many doctors but found no cure. In her desperation, she reached out to touch the hem of Christ’s garment, believing that even this simple act would heal her. St. Ambrose of Milan reflects on her faith, saying, “She touched with faith, and immediately her bleeding stopped, for faith heals where human efforts fail.” Her faith was active; it was a deliberate and humble act of reaching out to Christ, and she was healed.
When Jairus received the news that his daughter had died, Christ reassured him with the words, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50). These words are a reminder to us that faith dispels fear and conquers even death itself. St. Augustine teaches, “Faith is believing in what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” Jairus faced a moment of hopelessness, yet he chose to trust Christ, demonstrating the kind of faith that transcends earthly circumstances.
Both miracles in today’s Gospel reveal that Christ is the source of true life. The woman’s healing and the raising of Jairus’ daughter are not just historical events but symbols of our own spiritual journey. The woman’s twelve years of suffering reflect the spiritual affliction caused by sin, and her act of faith is an image of our need to reach out to Christ for healing. St. Gregory the Great comments, “The touch of faith draws power from Christ.” It is this kind of faith, a humble, desperate, and trusting faith that brings us spiritual healing.
When Christ took the hand of Jairus’ daughter and called her back to life, He showed that He has power over death itself. St. John of Damascus reminds us, “The Resurrection of Christ is the renewal of human nature.” Just as He raised the girl from her deathbed, He raises us from the spiritual death caused by sin, bringing us into new life through His Resurrection.
Returning to St. Paul’s words in Galatians, we see that true faith means living a crucified life. It is a life where we die to our own desires and allow Christ to live within us. St. Maximus the Confessor writes, “When Christ lives in us, His will becomes our will, and His life becomes our life.” This is the true essence of Christian discipleship a life of total surrender and trust in Christ.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter also points us to the hope of the Resurrection. Just as Christ restored her life, He offers us the promise of eternal life through His victory over death. The words of Christ, “Do not be afraid; only believe,” are a call to each of us to place our trust in Him, even when faced with life’s darkest moments.
Through the prayers of our most holy fathers Lord Jesus our God, forgive us, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Homily on Galatians 2:16-20 and Luke 8:41-56
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s readings from the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 2:16-20) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 8:41-56) present us with profound lessons on the transformative power of faith. They call us to a deeper union with Christ, one that is not simply belief, but a life lived in complete trust and surrender to Him. Let us delve into these Scriptures, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Fathers.
Think of a father, deeply religious, who attends church every Sunday with his family. He follows all the rules: he fasts, he prays, and he never misses a service. But despite all his dedication, something feels empty, and he cannot quite put his finger on it. He knows the doctrines of his faith but seems distant from the joy and the deep, living faith he once had.
One day, his young daughter becomes gravely ill. Doctors cannot find a cure, and all the father’s religious routines seem powerless against her suffering. In his desperation, he suddenly finds himself on his knees in prayer not the formal, composed prayers he is used to, but a raw, heartfelt cry: “God, I need You. I cannot do this alone.”
In that moment, he realises that it is not the rituals or the rules that will save his daughter; it is only faith in the living God. Like Jairus in Luke 8:41-56, who fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded for his daughter’s life, this father had to set aside everything he thought he knew and trust in Jesus alone.
This story ties into Paul’s message in Galatians 2:16-20. Paul reminds us that we are not justified by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. All the rules and rituals of our faith are meant to point us to a deeper relationship with Christ, not replace it.
In his Epistle, St. Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the essence of the Christian life: a mystical union with Christ that transforms our very being. St. John Chrysostom teaches that these words speak of a total surrender, where the believer’s old self is crucified, and a new life begins in Christ. Here, faith is not just an intellectual agreement but an active participation in the death and resurrection of our Lord.
St. Paul contrasts the works of the law with the faith of Christ, reminding us that we are not justified by our own efforts but by our union with Christ through faith. As St. Cyril of Alexandria states, “The law leads us to Christ, but it is faith that unites us with Him.” This faith allows Christ to live within us, guiding our actions and renewing our hearts.
In today’s Gospel, we witness two powerful miracles: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. These stories are bound together by the common thread of faith in Christ, a faith that brings healing and life even in the face of despair.
The woman who suffered for twelve years represents our own human struggle. She had sought help from many doctors but found no cure. In her desperation, she reached out to touch the hem of Christ’s garment, believing that even this simple act would heal her. St. Ambrose of Milan reflects on her faith, saying, “She touched with faith, and immediately her bleeding stopped, for faith heals where human efforts fail.” Her faith was active; it was a deliberate and humble act of reaching out to Christ, and she was healed.
When Jairus received the news that his daughter had died, Christ reassured him with the words, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50). These words are a reminder to us that faith dispels fear and conquers even death itself. St. Augustine teaches, “Faith is believing in what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” Jairus faced a moment of hopelessness, yet he chose to trust Christ, demonstrating the kind of faith that transcends earthly circumstances.
Both miracles in today’s Gospel reveal that Christ is the source of true life. The woman’s healing and the raising of Jairus’ daughter are not just historical events but symbols of our own spiritual journey. The woman’s twelve years of suffering reflect the spiritual affliction caused by sin, and her act of faith is an image of our need to reach out to Christ for healing. St. Gregory the Great comments, “The touch of faith draws power from Christ.” It is this kind of faith, a humble, desperate, and trusting faith that brings us spiritual healing.
When Christ took the hand of Jairus’ daughter and called her back to life, He showed that He has power over death itself. St. John of Damascus reminds us, “The Resurrection of Christ is the renewal of human nature.” Just as He raised the girl from her deathbed, He raises us from the spiritual death caused by sin, bringing us into new life through His Resurrection.
Returning to St. Paul’s words in Galatians, we see that true faith means living a crucified life. It is a life where we die to our own desires and allow Christ to live within us. St. Maximus the Confessor writes, “When Christ lives in us, His will becomes our will, and His life becomes our life.” This is the true essence of Christian discipleship a life of total surrender and trust in Christ.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter also points us to the hope of the Resurrection. Just as Christ restored her life, He offers us the promise of eternal life through His victory over death. The words of Christ, “Do not be afraid; only believe,” are a call to each of us to place our trust in Him, even when faced with life’s darkest moments.
Through the prayers of our most holy fathers Lord Jesus our God, forgive us, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Homily on Galatians 2:16-20 and Luke 8:41-56
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s readings from the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 2:16-20) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 8:41-56) present us with profound lessons on the transformative power of faith. They call us to a deeper union with Christ, one that is not simply belief, but a life lived in complete trust and surrender to Him. Let us delve into these Scriptures, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Fathers.
Think of a father, deeply religious, who attends church every Sunday with his family. He follows all the rules: he fasts, he prays, and he never misses a service. But despite all his dedication, something feels empty, and he cannot quite put his finger on it. He knows the doctrines of his faith but seems distant from the joy and the deep, living faith he once had.
One day, his young daughter becomes gravely ill. Doctors cannot find a cure, and all the father’s religious routines seem powerless against her suffering. In his desperation, he suddenly finds himself on his knees in prayer not the formal, composed prayers he is used to, but a raw, heartfelt cry: “God, I need You. I cannot do this alone.”
In that moment, he realises that it is not the rituals or the rules that will save his daughter; it is only faith in the living God. Like Jairus in Luke 8:41-56, who fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded for his daughter’s life, this father had to set aside everything he thought he knew and trust in Jesus alone.
This story ties into Paul’s message in Galatians 2:16-20. Paul reminds us that we are not justified by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. All the rules and rituals of our faith are meant to point us to a deeper relationship with Christ, not replace it.
In his Epistle, St. Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the essence of the Christian life: a mystical union with Christ that transforms our very being. St. John Chrysostom teaches that these words speak of a total surrender, where the believer’s old self is crucified, and a new life begins in Christ. Here, faith is not just an intellectual agreement but an active participation in the death and resurrection of our Lord.
St. Paul contrasts the works of the law with the faith of Christ, reminding us that we are not justified by our own efforts but by our union with Christ through faith. As St. Cyril of Alexandria states, “The law leads us to Christ, but it is faith that unites us with Him.” This faith allows Christ to live within us, guiding our actions and renewing our hearts.
In today’s Gospel, we witness two powerful miracles: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. These stories are bound together by the common thread of faith in Christ, a faith that brings healing and life even in the face of despair.
The woman who suffered for twelve years represents our own human struggle. She had sought help from many doctors but found no cure. In her desperation, she reached out to touch the hem of Christ’s garment, believing that even this simple act would heal her. St. Ambrose of Milan reflects on her faith, saying, “She touched with faith, and immediately her bleeding stopped, for faith heals where human efforts fail.” Her faith was active; it was a deliberate and humble act of reaching out to Christ, and she was healed.
When Jairus received the news that his daughter had died, Christ reassured him with the words, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50). These words are a reminder to us that faith dispels fear and conquers even death itself. St. Augustine teaches, “Faith is believing in what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” Jairus faced a moment of hopelessness, yet he chose to trust Christ, demonstrating the kind of faith that transcends earthly circumstances.
Both miracles in today’s Gospel reveal that Christ is the source of true life. The woman’s healing and the raising of Jairus’ daughter are not just historical events but symbols of our own spiritual journey. The woman’s twelve years of suffering reflect the spiritual affliction caused by sin, and her act of faith is an image of our need to reach out to Christ for healing. St. Gregory the Great comments, “The touch of faith draws power from Christ.” It is this kind of faith, a humble, desperate, and trusting faith that brings us spiritual healing.
When Christ took the hand of Jairus’ daughter and called her back to life, He showed that He has power over death itself. St. John of Damascus reminds us, “The Resurrection of Christ is the renewal of human nature.” Just as He raised the girl from her deathbed, He raises us from the spiritual death caused by sin, bringing us into new life through His Resurrection.
Returning to St. Paul’s words in Galatians, we see that true faith means living a crucified life. It is a life where we die to our own desires and allow Christ to live within us. St. Maximus the Confessor writes, “When Christ lives in us, His will becomes our will, and His life becomes our life.” This is the true essence of Christian discipleship a life of total surrender and trust in Christ.
The raising of Jairus’ daughter also points us to the hope of the Resurrection. Just as Christ restored her life, He offers us the promise of eternal life through His victory over death. The words of Christ, “Do not be afraid; only believe,” are a call to each of us to place our trust in Him, even when faced with life’s darkest moments.
Through the prayers of our most holy fathers Lord Jesus our God, forgive us, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Copyright © 2024 The Rev. Adrian Augustus. The Russian Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael, Blacktown, NSW
