Sermon - December 14

December 14 Lesson

SERMON ON THE HOLY MYSTERIES

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Holy Mysteries are the deepest and most sacred giftthat our Lord Jesus Christ has left to us in the Church. Through them, a person is not only instructed, but is truly united with God, receives the grace of the Holy Spirit, and becomes a participant in eternal life. The Holy Mysteries are not mere rites or symbols. They are the real action of God’s grace in a person’s life. Through visible means—water, bread and wine, oil, the words of prayer, and the laying on of hands—the Lord acts invisibly and sanctifies the whole person: both soul and body. The Church hands down to us seven Holy Mysteries: Baptism, Chrismation, Confession (Repentance), Holy Communion, Holy Orders, Marriage, and Holy Unction. Each of them has its own place and significance, but together they form one path of salvation. Through Holy Baptism, a person is born into new life in Christ, dying to the old, sinful self. Through Chrismation, we receive the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the strength to live a Christian life in this world. Through Confession, we return to God when we fall, for there is no person without sin, but there is repentance for everyone. Holy Communion is the summit of our spiritual life—in which receive Christ Himself, His Body and Blood, for the healing of soul and body and for eternal life. The Holy Mystery of Holy Orders makes possible the continual working of God’s grace in the Church, while in the Holy Mystery of Marriage the love of husband and wife is blessed to become an icon of Christ’s love for the Church. Holy Unction grants healing and consolation in times of illness, both bodily and spiritual. The Holy Mysteries call us to responsibility. No Mystery works magically. Each one requires faith, repentance, prayer, and the effort to live according to God’s commandments. To the extent that we open our hearts to God, to that same extent His grace works within us.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, let us approach the Holy Mysteries with the fear of God, faith, and love. Let us guard what we have received and live as children of God, so that God’s glory may be revealed through us, and that one day we may all become participants in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.