On the third Sunday of Great Lent, Fr. Matthew Howell talks about the importance of the Holy Cross in our Lives. He talks about a line said quietly by the priest in the middle of the liturgy: “Blessed art Thou on the throne of the glory of Thy kingdom, Who art enthroned upon the cherubim, always now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.” Using this as a starting point, he explains how the Crucified Christ sits upon the throne, and how the cross reveals the glory. He also points out that Christians will suffer, but that they can only survive the suffering with the help of the Cross. He ends up quoting extensively from St. Nikolai Velimirovic (Homilies, Volume 1, pages 153-157). Along the way, he rails against social media for the fifth week in a row, puts a catechumen on the spot, and uses alliteration.
Previous Homilies for the third Sunday of Great Lent:
- April 7, 2024 – “What will you do when the Communists come?” St. Tikhon of Moscow and the Cross of our Lord
- March 19, 2023 – The Cross: The Throne of Glory and Portal of Grace
- March 27, 2022 – Dopamine, Pleasure, Pain, and the Cross
- April 4, 2021 – The Cross Redeems Our Brokenness
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee’; as he says also in another place, ‘Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.’
Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.