Father I appreciate the sermon. However I’m tormented by two things. 1)Why do we as Orthodox pray for the dead when in this gospel passage it is clear there’s no passing in between? My grandfather was a militant atheist. He’s in hades no doubt and my prayers avail nothing for him. 2)And if I die as an Orthodox and happened to make it to paradise how could I ever enjoy paradise knowing that my grandfather(and many other unbelieving relatives)whom I loved very much is in hell?
To quote our Lord “Nothing is impossible with God” and furthermore this does not contradict the specific significance of this particular parable which has as one of its main purposes (along with everything else touched on in this excellent homily) the job of relaying the fact that even if the resurrection of the dead were revealed to some folks it would still not be sufficient evidence to sway their sincerely callous hearts and ultimately God will give us our way as he did not create human beings as will-less automatons. Also this parable does not seem to be purposed toward our Lord making a case against prayers for the dead by those of us not yet departed rather it is quite the opposite showing that for those on the dark side of sheol there is no repentance for them, but that does not necessarily mean we cannot pray for them that God might have mercy on their soul on that day aka the eschaton. Just remember there’s no one who loves your Grandfather more then Jesus and there’s always hope in Christ and this remains True even in the face of certain scriptural passages that seem to us as impossible barriers to understand and again there is NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE with Christ obviously save for sinful things of course
1) at this point you Grandfather is well aware that God exists. He choose is path. Yet, the church says even our prayers can bring comfort to him. 2) you are not God. You are not judge and creator. You are a servant of God. Serve Him and let His merciful will be done. “ Verily I say unto you, that the Publicans and the harlots go before you into the kingdom of God.”
@ thank you brother for your sincere reply. You have indeed pointed things out that I had not realized and you have helped me see how I have become angry and quite cynical(despairing)of Orthodoxy and praying for the dead and need to repent of that. 🙏🏻
I am tortured by same thoughts. My stepson passed away not being baptized. We planned baptism for September and he passed in June. It took him so many years to decide to baptize. I pray for his salvation and his siblings do and we hope that one day our Lord will spare his soul.
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Thank you Father.
Beautiful sermon ❤, thank you Father!
thank you
Thank you for posting this sermon.
thank you father
Such a beautiful message that has deeply convicted me God bless you Father!
i dunno i have onion rings in my freezer right now ?
Father I appreciate the sermon. However I’m tormented by two things.
1)Why do we as Orthodox pray for the dead when in this gospel passage it is clear there’s no passing in between? My grandfather was a militant atheist. He’s in hades no doubt and my prayers avail nothing for him.
2)And if I die as an Orthodox and happened to make it to paradise how could I ever enjoy paradise knowing that my grandfather(and many other unbelieving relatives)whom I loved very much is in hell?
To quote our Lord “Nothing is impossible with God” and furthermore this does not contradict the specific significance of this particular parable which has as one of its main purposes (along with everything else touched on in this excellent homily) the job of relaying the fact that even if the resurrection of the dead were revealed to some folks it would still not be sufficient evidence to sway their sincerely callous hearts and ultimately God will give us our way as he did not create human beings as will-less automatons.
Also this parable does not seem to be purposed toward our Lord making a case against prayers for the dead by those of us not yet departed rather it is quite the opposite showing that for those on the dark side of sheol there is no repentance for them, but that does not necessarily mean we cannot pray for them that God might have mercy on their soul on that day aka the eschaton. Just remember there’s no one who loves your Grandfather more then Jesus and there’s always hope in Christ and this remains True even in the face of certain scriptural passages that seem to us as impossible barriers to understand and again there is NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE with Christ obviously save for sinful things of course
1) at this point you Grandfather is well aware that God exists. He choose is path. Yet, the church says even our prayers can bring comfort to him.
2) you are not God. You are not judge and creator. You are a servant of God. Serve Him and let His merciful will be done. “ Verily I say unto you, that the Publicans and the harlots go before you into the kingdom of God.”
@ thank you brother for your sincere reply. You have indeed pointed things out that I had not realized and you have helped me see how I have become angry and quite cynical(despairing)of Orthodoxy and praying for the dead and need to repent of that. 🙏🏻
I am tortured by same thoughts. My stepson passed away not being baptized. We planned baptism for September and he passed in June. It took him so many years to decide to baptize. I pray for his salvation and his siblings do and we hope that one day our Lord will spare his soul.
@ Thank you for sharing in my sufferings. Lord have mercy on your step son. 🙏🏻❤️