Homily, March 14, 2021: Forgiveness Sunday

Fr. Pat preached at Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 14, 2021, Forgiveness Sunday.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans (13:11-14:4)

Brethren, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at
hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us
walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and
licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision
for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. But as for the one who is weak in faith, receive him, but not for
disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs.
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him
who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger?
To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make
him stand.

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (6:1-21)
The Lord said: Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.