Redeeming The Time

A synthesis of the two Gospels read today (Mark 10:32-45 and then Luke 7:36-50), and two saints very similar in essence, although different in external life: Mary of Egypt, and Nectarios of Aegina. In proving their similarity, we discuss the sin of "stony insensibility," and that we MUST suffer if we are to be true Christians (and what this suffering ALWAYS must entail, regardless of whether we suffer in any "physical" or other ways, such as the martyrs, St. Mary and St. Nectarios did). We also discuss humility, and being a servant, as illustrated in the amazing life of St. Nectarios, and the comparison of St. Mary with the woman "who was a sinner," who truly loved our Lord. The crux of the similarity between these two saints, and all who love God is the enigmatic saying of our Lord: "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Here, two kinds of love are described, and we must possess both, if we are to truly be Christians.