Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh on Cheesefare Sunday according to the Gregorian calendar: “Pray to God with complete trust”
On February 11, on Cheesefare Sunday according to the Gregorian calendar, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia, presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Munich, the press service of the Apostolic Exarchate in Germany and Scandinavia reports.
In the sermon, the bishop dwelt on three key elements that contribute to fulfilling the Lenten journey and bringing good fruits for the individual. And, according to the preacher, without prayer, self-control, and good deeds, Lent will be incomplete.
“We have to refrain from those things that distance us from God. It is a matter of making room for God in our lives. Try to reduce your time on social media and the Internet,” advised Bishop Bohdan, pointing out the need for discipline for the body so that it remains subordinate to the spirit.
The bishop also called on people to participate in parish prayer in the church and to read the Holy Scriptures, referring to Jesus’ prayer in the desert, where he drove away the devil and his temptations with quotes from the Holy Scriptures.
“Pray to God with complete trust. The Holy Spirit will guide us to remember that God is our Father, who loves us and desires to heal the wounds inflicted upon us by our neighbors and this terrible war. Bind yourselves with God’s Word and common prayer because we have hope in Him. And all this is meant to build our relationship with God and our neighbors. The true purpose of fasting is to fill our relationship with God and our neighbors with love,” said the Apostolic Exarch.
“When we love God, we fulfill His commandments; and when we love our neighbor, we show respect and attention towards them. Love also tells us not to pursue our own gain. Often, we become self-centered, focusing on how others treat us. However, love seeks to serve and uplift others,” remarked Bishop Bohdan, urging those present in the church to be initiators of love, being engaged in the needs of their neighbors and offering assistance. According to the preacher, these acts of kindness support and give strength, especially when one knows that someone is praying for them.
The third thing a Christian is called to do and witness is forgiveness, which Bishop Bohdan called the ultimate love. “When a person forgives, they show mercy to their neighbor and are liberated from the destructive power of sin, thus bestowing love on themselves. This grants true freedom, to which everyone is called. This is the aim of Lent: for us to become free people and be filled with God’s Spirit and love. Then we will truly be able to celebrate Easter, the holiday of the victory of life over death,” said the bishop.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the bishop referenced an example from the life of St. Pope John Paul II when he came to forgive his assassin after an attempt on his life. “We all need forgiveness from God and people,” the preacher quoted the Pope as saying and concluded by saying that everyone should be prepared to forgive and ask for forgiveness.
After the Liturgy, the bishop and the clergy of the cathedral church celebrated the Forgiveness Vespers with the faithful. Following this, they honored the blessed martyr Peter Vergun, the first apostolic visitor to Ukrainians in Germany, with a prayer service.
The UGCC Department for Information
