Metropolitan of Sweden: Christ сomes to those trapped in darkness and despair

Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden reflected on Christ’s boundless mercy and His power to restore those suffering from spiritual and emotional bondage during his homily on the Fifth Sunday of Matthew, delivered at St. George Cathedral in Stockholm on July 5.

Drawing from the Gospel account of the healing of the two demoniacs in the country of the Gergesenes, the Metropolitan emphasized that Christ does not wait for wounded and broken people to seek Him but instead goes out to meet them in their suffering.

“Christ does not wait for the wounded person to become strong enough to find Him,” Metropolitan Cleopas said. “He goes Himself into the place of fear, confusion, and death. He enters the land of the tombs. He approaches those from whom everyone else has withdrawn.”

Referring to the interpretation of St. John Chrysostom, he noted that no one dared to bring the afflicted men to Christ, and therefore Christ Himself came to them, revealing the immeasurable compassion of God for humanity.

The Metropolitan also drew parallels between the Gospel narrative and contemporary life, observing that many people today may not live among physical tombs but are imprisoned by “inward tombs”…