Behold, the One who instructed us not to carry a bag or purse allows us to be sustained through the very message we proclaim. It is written, "In the same house ye shall abide, eating and drinking what they have: for worthy is the labourer of his wages." When our peace is welcomed, it is just that we remain in the same home, partaking of their provisions, for as we share the rewards of the heavenly kingdom, we receive earthly sustenance from those we serve. Thus, Paul notes, "If we sow to you spiritually, how much more shall we reap to you bodily" (1 Cor. 9:11). Remarkably, it states, "Worthy is the labourer of his wages," indicating that sustenance is already regarded as a reward for one's efforts, highlighting the early acknowledgment of the remuneration of preaching, which is fulfilled by the vision of Truth. In this regard, we observe that two rewards await our single act of labor: one along the journey and another in the eternal homeland; the first supports us in our endeavors, while the second awaits us at the resurrection. The reward we experience now should motivate us to strive even more diligently for the future reward. Thus, the preachers of old did not proclaim in order to receive immediate recompense but did so with the hope of being empowered to preach. Those who preach for earthly rewards, recognition, or gifts risk losing the Eternal Reward. Conversely, the one who aims to inspire genuine love for God through their words, or who accepts earthly supports to maintain their preaching perseverance, does not obstruct their reward in the heavenly homeland, as they have only accepted what is necessary for the journey.
But what do we, shepherds, do, who receive rewards yet do not engage in true service? We are given the fruits of the Holy Church as a yearly reward but often fail to labor in the Eternal Church through preaching. Let us reflect on the seriousness of receiving a laborer's reward without laboring for it. We rely on the offerings of believers—how much do we really toil for their souls? We accept what believers contribute to atone for their sins, yet we often neglect to pray, fight against those very sins, or preach about them. Few will openly defend such an approach. Furthermore, it is often the case that those of influence, through praise, are shielded from criticism lest anger leads to the loss of their favors. Yet we must remember it is written, "The sins of my people are a snare" (Hosea 4:8). They are said to consume the sins of the people, failing to address wickedness for fear of losing transient rewards. As those living off the offerings for sin, if we partake and remain silent, we surely consume their sins. We must recognize the offense related to profit gained from sin without addressing it through preaching! Consider the words of the blessed Job: "If the earth cried out against me, even its reins cried together; even its power was eaten without price" (Job 31:38, 39). The earth laments against its steward when the Church rises rightly in rebellion against its shepherd. Her reins cry out when the hearts of the flock, nourished by preaching and correction, witness the failures of the shepherd. A true owner of land does not partake of its fruit without payment, much like a wise shepherd laboring in the Word to avoid taking from the Church what rightfully belongs to them.
We partake of the Church's fruit when we receive its support while diligently preaching. We are appointed as heralds for the Divine Judge. So, who will announce the arrival of the Judge if the preacher remains silent? Every individual should strive, to the best of their ability, to communicate to their community both the fear of the future Judge and the joy of His Kingdom. If one lacks the strength to convey these messages collectively, they must guide individuals, encouraging personal growth through conversation and simpler exhortations, nurturing the hearts entrusted to them. We must heed what was communicated to the Holy Apostles, and thus to us: "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). As salt, our duty is to transform the souls of the faithful. Shepherds, consider your responsibility for God’s flock. Regarding these very souls, it is proclaimed, “Thy animals dwell upon her” (Psalm 67:11). Just as salt stones are placed for cattle to lick and improve, a priest should embody that rock of salt among the flock. It is essential for a priest to be mindful and to tailor their exhortations to each individual. This ensures that those in communion with the priest are enriched with the flavor of Eternal Life as if by the touch of salt. We cannot be the salt of the earth if we do not season the hearts of our listeners. Those who impart this seasoning to others do not withhold the preaching of Truth from their neighbors. We truly preach when our actions reflect our message, infused with divine love, and when we wash away daily impurities with tears of repentance.
We are broken before God when we scrutinize the actions of our forebears, as their exemplary lives can often be a source of shame for our own. We are brought low in our self-assessment when we consider the Lord’s commandments and strive to live up to the perfections displayed by those we honor. Thus it is recorded concerning Moses, “This man shall make a brazen laver, and stand it brazen of the mirrors of the fasting women” (Ex. 38:8). Moses prepared the brazen laver for priests to wash, a command from God ensuring that our uncleanness does not interrupt the purity of divine mysteries. This laver, made from the mirrors of women fasting, signifies the commandments of God into which holy souls look to ensure they are free from defects. They correct sinful thoughts, and through reflection, the righteous can examine themselves and discern what pleases the Heavenly Bridegroom from what does not. As long as we reside in this life, we are barred from entering the Eternal Tabernacle. The fasting women remain at the door because holy souls, despite their earthly frailties, await entrance to eternal glory. Moses constructed a laver from the mirrors of fasting women as the Law of God provides an opportunity for contrition in the face of sin, granting us a glimpse of the Heavenly Commandments that have won favor with the Supreme Bridegroom. By keenly observing them, we identify the blemishes on our souls. Recognizing these shortcomings, we submit to sorrowful repentance, as if washed in the laver made from the mirrors of the fasting women.
However, while we are called to humble ourselves, we must simultaneously care for those entrusted to our service. The urgency of our contrition must not lead us to neglect our stewardship over all. What benefit is there if we prioritize self-love at the cost of our duty to others? Conversely, what good is it to be preoccupied with others and forsake our own wellbeing? For the adornments of the Tabernacle require the finest gifts, “purely spun chervlenitsa” (Ex. 25:4), so that our love before God flourishes with love for both Him and our neighbors. When one loves the Creator sincerely, they also genuinely love themselves; thus, the chervlenitsa is pure when the soul thrives on both self and neighborly love generated by truth. Furthermore, we must ensure that our zeal for righteousness does not undermine the virtue of gentleness in our corrections. The anger of a priest ought not to be hasty or violent; it must be moderated by the weight of intention. Thus, we must bear with those we admonish and instruct those we tolerate, for without balance, a priest’s actions can spiral into harshness or indulgence.
This illustrates why in the construction of the temple, lions, oxen, and Cherubim were carved into its foundations (2 Sam. 7:29). Cherubim epitomize knowledge. But why are lions and oxen portrayed together? They symbolize that those who bear the weight of clerical responsibility must be steadfastly knowledgeable. The combination of lions and oxen signifies the necessity of balance; priests must embrace fearsome justice alongside patient gentleness. A priest cannot exhibit ferocity without also possessing meekness, for the priest must embody both principles—the severity of one must not extinguish the tenderness of the other; likewise, tenderness must not lead to weakness but can fuel the zeal needed for ministry.
Yet we speak of these principles while many continue to indulge in egregious acts. To you, Bishops, I express my sorrow, for some of you have taken to ordaining for material gains, selling holy graces, and profiting from the sins of others. Why do you neglect to heed the command of the Lord, "You receive, you give" (Matthew 10:8)? Why do you fail to envision our Redeemer overturning the tables of the moneychangers and scattering the coins in the temple (John 2:15-16)? Who are the sellers of doves in God’s temple today besides those who accept payments for ordination? This very ordination brings the Holy Spirit from Heaven; hence, the dove is sold because the imparting of the Holy Spirit—conveyed through the laying on of hands—is traded for money. Our Redeemer overturned the stalls of the sellers of doves, signaling His denial of the priesthood for such merchants. The sacred commandments denounce the heresy of simony, demanding that those who solicit payment for priestly ordination be stripped of their titles.
Thus, the seats of the dove merchants are overturned when those who barter spiritual grace are deprived of their priestly roles. Numerous other evils lurk within leadership, often hidden from the eyes of the faithful. Priests frequently masquerade as virtuous individuals in public, yet feel no shame in the eyes of their internal Judge. The day will come—indeed, it draws near—when the Shepherd of Shepherds will arrive to unveil the deeds of all. He who punishes the flaws of the flock through the shepherds will himself chastise the transgressions of the shepherds. The world may not witness this punishment, as it occurs in silence, but that Judge will arrive, before whom none can conceal themselves or deceive each other.
There is yet another matter, beloved brethren, that weighs heavily upon pastors. In acknowledgment that I too may offend, I plead my case, compelled by the demands of ruthless times. We have become preoccupied with things external, taking pride in titles while failing to express genuine devotion through our actions. We neglect the ministry of preaching, and to our shame, we carry the title of bishops, yet we possess honor without power. Those given to our care neglect God while we remain silent; they engage in wickedness, and we extend no corrective hand. Each day, many perish through their iniquities, while we fail to intervene, watching as they drown in their own folly. How can we hope to correct another’s faults when we neglect our own, becoming increasingly insensitive the more occupied we are with worldly matters? The soul, burdened by temporal concerns, becomes numb to a desire for the divine. We risk falling victim to the very world we hold at arm's length, for the Holy Church aptly acknowledges her frail members, exclaiming, “Put me as a guard in the vines; my grapes I will not keep” (Song of Songs 1:5). Our actions within these vines reflect our earthly labor, yet when too entangled in the distractions of this life, our spiritual grapes wither.
THEOSIS