Sunday Sermons from Father Oleg

2 February 2025

Today is Zacchaeus Sunday, and this Sunday is an invitation to the Great lent. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, which means that he was a notorious extortionist and sinner. What did Zaccheaus do to deserve such an honor, such an encounter with the Messiah? Zacchaeus had something often lacking among those who take Christ only on their own terms: single-minded zeal to see Him. He could have easily been disqualified from seeing the Lord because of his past sins and because of his short stature. And this important and rich man climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him. The Lord, knowing Zaccheaus’ humble zeal to see Him and his repentant spirit, gave him more than could be imagined: a personal encounter with Him as an opportunity to be received and restored by God. In confession, we can also invite Christ to come under the roof of our heart and to live with us. Zacchaeus didn’t satisfy himself with pious feelings and emotions. Instead, he put repentance into action: He promised to “restore fourfold” anyone he defrauded, giving half his goods to the poor. All we need is the zeal and repentance of Zacchaeus, and today we can seize the opportunity to follow the example of this man who would not let anything keep him from Christ, and do the same.

26 January 2025

12 January 2025

5 January 2025

29 December 2024

22 December 2024

15 December 2024

8 December 2024

1 December 2024

24 November 2024

17 November 2024

10 November 2024

3 November 2024

27 October 2024

20 October 2024