Well then, dear friends, we carry on. What we are heading towards is the Resurrection - victory! Where Christ is, defeat has no place. Lose sight of Him, and we stumble.
The light Christ brings shines on everyone. We are dedicating this Sunday to Saint Gregory Palamas. Years ago, he got into a debate with theologians from the West, and he showed that the light the apostles saw during the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor (see Matthew 17:2) was incorruptible, uncreated - it was the Holy Spirit. And this Orthodox teaching joins us to God. Sometimes we spot traces of this light in one another, though it does not happen very often. Maybe it is not quite the same light Christ showed on Tabor, but it gives us life all the same.
I remember the first time I went to see Father Nikolai Guryanov on Zalit Island. He was in the middle of the liturgy in his church. With me was a man who had brought me over. At the point when Father Nikolai was giving Communion to the children, we both saw his face begin to shine in the most incredible way, just like an angel's. If I had been on my own, I might have put it down to a trick of the light. But we caught each other's eye, and I knew straight away he had seen it as well: "Just look at his face!" But when the Elder finished giving Communion to the children, his face became ordinary again.
Later, that vision of light lifted my spirits for months when I was deep in despair. It is a kind of light that seems to find its way right into the heart.
The most frightening thing is how easily we get used to ugliness and the dark. That is what sin is - darkness. It is when you cannot even notice those closest to you because you are dark inside: selfishness does not shine. Just think what it would be like if we could see the light of God shining out from our loved ones. What love would spring up between us!
Sometimes we do see the light. Take a bride and groom - all starry-eyed and lovey-dovey. They adore each other and notice that light shining in one another - that is their love! But then the everyday routine of married life arrives. And where has that radiance gone? Has it faded? Was it ever there? But what if each of them were to say: "No, that brightness was real; I have just let myself get a bit clouded. My eyes are full of dusty, sinful specks. But I have come to the Church so that my eyes and my little heart may be cleansed, and so that in this person beside me I may again see that brightness." Well, then they will have a proper marriage that cannot be broken! That is what victory looks like! Then that will be a victory! So for those who have families, fight for the light. Do not let daily routine, all sorts of worldly business, and our weaknesses - which we all have - block this light of love from us.
God is love! Just as the sun lights up the earth, His love makes our hearts and our lives holy. If we try to hide from that love, we will just wither away in our own selfishness, not wanted by anyone, and not wanting anyone either. But when we are in the light, we need one another, because in everyone we see God. And when you see God, you gain great strength and reach for a new life…
I do not think this light will ever go out. For today, we are in the light - God is within us. And when we meet those waiting for us, that glow should shine through. And we will share our love: "God has given me the Blood and the Body of Christ, and I want to share this love." And then Christ will be in our midst. But this is not easy. We have to give up our selfishness, our desires, and some of our comforts - all for the sake of our neighbour. This light is always a sacrifice. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:19). So we press on, heading towards the light which still shines, even when everything seems dark (John 1:5).
On Wednesday and Friday we will celebrate the Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts. The morning services begin at four o'clock. Those who want to live with God, do come. If you truly cannot make it, do not worry. We pray for "our brethren who are serving." Not everyone can get here - everyone has their work and their day-to-day duties. We pray here, in the church, for the whole world. And the liturgy is not just for ourselves; it is for everyone. When we take part in the Divine Liturgy, the whole world, every part of it, is made holy by the light of love. If ever the liturgy were to stop, then this world would sink into darkness and the earth would turn into a lump of ice, as the holy fathers said. But while we are here, while we are praying, we have a future. Save us all, O Lord!
Sermon by Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok after the Divine Liturgy on 16 March 2025, Sunday of St Gregory Palamas
