Golden Rule, Love Your Enemies, and the Protection of the Theotokos | Christian Action (1 October)

About this sermon

Why is it so difficult to love our enemies, do good to others, lend expecting nothing in return, and live the Golden Rule? This homily argues that one of the greatest obstacles is fear—our constant desire to protect our money, our time, ourselves, and everything we think we might lose. The Gospel does not merely command us to avoid doing evil. Christ calls us to actively do good: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Prayer, fasting, Scripture, the Fathers, and attendance at the Divine Services are indispensable, but they must transform the way we actually live. Christianity is not merely something we profess—it must become something we do. On the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, we hear the remarkable account of St. Andrew the Fool for Christ and his vision in Constantinople. During the service, St. Andrew saw the Theotokos enter the church accompanied by St. John the Baptist and St. John the Theologian. She knelt and prayed fervently with tears before raising her mantle over the faithful, shining brilliantly and covering the people—a sign of her powerful intercession and protection. But the homily goes even deeper. The protection of the Theotokos points us toward the protection found within Christ and His Church. The nave recalls Noah's Ark: outside are the storms of the world, but within the Ark is safety and life. God has not abandoned us to face the world alone. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and Christ promised, “I am with you always.” And that changes how a Christian lives. If God is our protector, we do not have to organize our lives around fear. We can love our enemies. We can forgive. We can give. We can lend without expecting repayment. We can do good even when doing good costs us something. We have protection from on high. May we therefore be Christians not merely in name, but Christians in action, trusting in the grace of the Holy Spirit and the victory that is ours in Christ. ☦️ Most Holy Theotokos, protect us! 00:00 Real Estate for Life 00:33 The Gospel's call to action 00:57 The Golden Rule 01:21 Love your enemies and expect nothing in return 01:38 What does it mean to truly be Christian? 02:01 Prayer must transform the way we live 02:38 Why are Christ's commands so difficult? 02:47 Fear and the desire to protect ourselves 03:11 Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God 03:41 St. Andrew the Fool for Christ 04:22 The Church at Blachernae 04:31 The Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God 04:46 St. Romanos the Melodist 05:03 St. Andrew's miraculous vision 05:10 The Theotokos enters the church 05:26 The Mother of God prays with tears 05:41 The mantle of the Theotokos 05:59 Our Lady covers the faithful 06:08 The powerful intercession of Mary 06:17 The Wedding Feast at Cana 06:35 Protection from on high 06:59 The Theotokos as an image of the Church 07:29 The Church as Noah's Ark 07:54 Protection from the storms of the world 08:10 The Church is the Body of Christ 08:35 “I will dwell with them” 08:42 The Word became flesh 09:15 “I am with you always” 09:31 Protection through Christ and His Church 09:45 We don't need to live in fear 10:02 Christ has already won the victory 10:10 Love your enemies and do good 10:28 We need the grace of the Holy Spirit 10:36 Christians in name vs. Christians in action 10:50 Live the Golden Rule 11:08 Glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. #Theotokos #MotherOfGod #ProtectionOfTheTheotokos #Pokrov #OrthodoxChristianity #OrthodoxChurch #EasternChristianity #VirginMary #StAndrewTheFoolForChrist #GoldenRule #LoveYourEnemies #ChristianLife #JesusChrist #ChristianHomily #OrthodoxHomily #Christianity #FaithOverFear #ChurchFathers #HolySpirit #SensusFidelium 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #GuardianAngels #CatholicTeaching #CatholicFaith #AngelsAndDemons #CatholicSpirituality #PadrePio #StThomasAquinas #GuardianAngelPrayer #CatholicChurch #FaithAndAngels

Topics

• Love & Compassion