Mercy, Compassion, and Love Are the Doors to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pascha (The Paralytic)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Today, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather again in these bright days of Pascha. The Holy Church calls us to reflect on today’s Gospel — a sacred message that reveals the endless mercy of God, especially when we compare it to the cold indifference, pride, and selfishness that often fill the human heart.

Through this Gospel, the Church shows us the sad condition of humanity — how far we have fallen from what we were meant to be. We were created in the image and likeness of God, as the crown of His creation. But without mercy and love, a person can fall into a state that is no different from a life without soul or purpose.

In this Gospel, we see a tragic scene. A man lies paralyzed for thirty-eight long years — alone, forgotten, suffering.

How did he survive all those years? Only God knows. He lay close to the place of healing, always seeing hope before him, but never reaching it. Every time he tried, he was disappointed again and again.

For thirty-eight years, thousands of people passed by him. To them, he was nothing. No one helped him. No one saw his pain. He became invisible to the world — but not to God. And when he was finally healed, people did not rejoice with him. Instead, they judged him. Their hearts were cold, filled with pride and selfishness. Even those who appeared religious had no compassion inside. And these same hearts, a short time later, would cry out: “Crucify Him.”

And today, after two thousand years, not much has changed. People are still often cold, indifferent, and without mercy. How often do we see those who suffer — the weak, the sick, the poor — and simply pass by? We see people struggling, suffering, waiting for help, even near churches, while crowds walk past without care.

We call ourselves the highest creation, made in the image of God. But we forget that mercy, compassion, and love are what truly make us human. Without these, we are no different from animals. And before we speak proudly about being the image of God, we must ask ourselves: do these virtues still live in our hearts?

Do we notice those who are different from us — those who cannot walk, who cannot see, who suffer in silence? Do we ever stop and think, when we sit at our tables, that somewhere someone has not eaten for days, that someone is suffering and alone?

These virtues — mercy, compassion, and love — show us who we truly are and where we stand in our spiritual life. If we do not feel compassion for others, it is a serious warning. It means we are in a dangerous spiritual condition, close to losing what makes us truly human. Without mercy, we risk becoming hardened, losing our connection with God.

So today, dear brothers and sisters, we must ask ourselves: who are we, and what is our purpose in this life? We all call ourselves Christians. We all hope to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But we must understand this clearly — mercy, compassion, and love are the doors to that Kingdom.

If we do not have them, if we lose them, we will not enter. We will not see God. Let us always remember the words of our Lord:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Amen.

 Fr. Ivan Symchyna