Entering the Divine Life
Sermon Offered by Fr. Antony Hughes for Forgiveness Sunday, February 22, 2026
Today I offer a reflection on the spiritual themes of humility, forgiveness, and the observance of Lent.
As Matthew 18:4 suggests, true greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is found in child-like humility. "Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." This humility serves as the essential entry point into the spiritual life, whereas pride remains a barrier. 1 Peter 2:5 further encourages us to allow ourselves to be built into a spiritual house, offering sacrifices acceptable to God. The first bricks in a solid foundation for this spiritual house are humility and forgiveness.
The practice of forgiveness is central. It is not merely an isolated act, but a continuous way of life, a way of being, that allows divine grace to flow through us at all times. Forgiveness expands the heart more and more until there is room for everyone. In this way we become conduits of compassion. Jesus tells his followers "Whoever believes in me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' (John 7:38) We must pay close attention to see if it is living water that is flowing from us or something else.
This movement of love is reflected in the theological concept of perichoresis which describes the divine interior life of the Holy Trinity. We have been invited to enter into this divine circular dance through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our willingness to forgive others serves as a sign of our own readiness to receive God's mercy and join in the dance. At St Vladimir's Seminary the service of Forgiveness Vespers reminded me of the perichoresis as the line of those giving and receiving forgiveness from one another wound around the chapel in a spiral. To me this ritual mirrored the divine dance.
The Divine Dance is both personal and corporate which is why the Church offers us the gift of Great Lent. We enter Lent corporately, as a people united in Christ with a single purpose, to make the life of God Incarnate in this world. And we enter as persons individually by entering the closet Jesus speaks of in Matthew 6:6, "When you pray, go into your closet, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Regarding the practice of fasting during Lent, the scriptures instruct us to do so with humility and privacy. Fasting should remain a personal matter between the individual and God rather than a public display for others to see. When performed in secret it can become an act of true self-denial.
We must never allow the ego to make a display of itself like the Pharisees who stood on the street corners in fancy clothes. Jesus described them like this, "They do all their deeds to be seen by others." We must not be like them. It is so easy to fall into that trap. Do not let Lent become an ego-trip. Instead, pray and fast in secret at home and gather with the Church as she leads us in prayer and sacrament as one family united in God. Any outward display must be quiet, compassionate, and humble with the welfare of others as the sole purpose.
So, if you are able, come tonight to participate in the sacrament of Forgiveness so that we may enter Great Lent together in love, humility, and in unity.