How long shall I be with you? – Metropolitan of Strumica Nahum
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The Gospel is a criterion by which we judge ourselves and not others. Therefore, let us turn to ourselves and look at this gospel reading from a different aspect – the personal one.
“When they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him and knelt before Him saying: ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely. In the new moon he is enraged (under the control of the demon) and he is very much troubled; he often falls into the fire also in the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.'” ( Matthew 17, 14-16)
An incredibly accurate description of today’s church affairs, written nearly two thousand years ago. Some faithful people – some superstitious people subjected to demonic influence, they suffer and desperately seek help from the clergy, which is itself unprepared – and cannot help.
Superstition is when, either from fear or for a reward, as well as beliefs that are suggested by the demon (e.g. while in a new moon, etc.), you think that you have some kind of relationship with God… No, you do not have a relationship with God!
“But Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me! “And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy; and the child was cured at that very hour. ” (Matthew 17, 17-18)
The God-Man Christ was compassionate towards the child and cured him. Now do you see how He addresses the people in an abrupt and seemingly rude way? He does this in order to make them aware of the misconception they hold, and at the same time justify His disciples before them; However His words are directly directed to His disciples (and to today’s clergy).
His disciples, are aware that, above all, He addresses them, they approach Him, whilst He was alone, and ask Him why they are powerless to help?
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said: ‘Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief: for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to the mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. ‘” (Matthew 17, 19-20)
This is just the same as Him saying: your faith is not based on deeds. But do you remember what I told you: faith alone is not enough, but for the miracles to occur there should be the basis for it; when for the sake of Him and His love and from love for our neighbour we suffer or give from what is not enough even for us.
And now do you see how in essence the Lord addresses the Apostles more harshly? He almost called them unbelievers.
However, the Lord Christ also showed them the way: “This kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17, 21). Demons are connected with our passions, and until we purify our hearts from vainglory, covetousness, and love of pleasures, through repentance and real obedience in the sacramental life of the Church, and until we receive the gift of the prayer of the mind in the heart, we will not be able to cast out demons, not even from us, let alone from someone else who suffers from them.
In other words: the “closedness” of the heart for the prayer of the mind in the heart is an indication that it is unwell and defiled by the passions, and therefore enslaved and darkened by the demons. And a man who cannot control his heart is a helpless and dependent man. Such a person cannot even help himself, let alone help others, but God forbid that such a man is obsessed with messianic ideas.
“Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.'” (Matthew 17, 22-23).
He told them this in order to warn them about which kingdom they should fight for first and foremost. But to this day, most of people do not understand Christ’s message and fight for the kingdom of this world – just like all other Gentiles.
Most Holy Mother of God save us
Metropolitan of Strumica Nahum
(28.08.2021 15:38)
