Поучение в неделю сыропустную. Условие при вступлении в святую Четыредесятницу

Beloved brothers! We have already reached the very gates of holy fasting! They are already ready to open before us! Already, according to the law of the Holy Church, the instruction of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the correct entry into the feat of fasting has been read to us today in the Holy Gospel. “If you forgive a person their sins,” proclaims the gospel teaching now read, “your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you your sins” (Matt. VI. 14-15). With this news the Holy Church greets us at the gates of fasting! She offers us such a condition at the very threshold of the spiritual chamber of repentance. We intend to prove our repentance for various sinful passions through various physical deprivations and oppressions: the Gospel requires from us mercy before sacrifice, so that the sacrifice is acceptable to God. Everyone who wants to begin the feat of fasting and prayer, everyone who wants to reap abundant fruits from their repentance! Hear the word of God, hear the covenant of God - and let go, forgive your neighbors for their sins against you. “If you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you your sins.” Amen. You might be interested in: