The 11th Sunday after Pentecost – loving our God and our neighbor

O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (Matthew 18: 32-33)

20^th August 2017, on the 11^th Sunday after Pentecost, coincided with the commemoration day of St Teodora of Sihla, the faithful present in the Nativity of the Lord Cathedral of Chisinau prayed during the Divine Liturgy together with His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir and the concelebrating clergy.

Today’s Gospel Reading (Matthew 18: 23-35) teaches us about our duty to forgive our debtors. Lord Jesus Christ tells us that the entire law and prophets are based on these two commandments: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… and the second that is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matt. 20: 38, 39).

Mercy is one of the deeds that springs out of love, according to Holy Apostle Paul, who says: Charity suffereth long, and is kind (1 Corr. 13: 4).

Today’s Gospel Reading is one of forgiveness, but also a Gospel of responsibility, showing us that God is merciful, but if we disregard or neglect His mercy, He becomes a fearful judge who demands our account for our acts.

After the Divine Liturgy, a Thanks-Giving Service was officiated, and the believers left in peace the holy shrine, with souls replenished by the Lord’s love and mercy, and mindful about own debt to the Rightful Creditor.

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