In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, we gather in the radiant light of divine grace to honor and celebrate the memory of Saint Lalibela, the righteous king and faithful servant of the Lord, whose zeal for the heavenly kingdom manifested in his works and life. He, whom God anointed to rule over the land of Ethiopia, bore not a crown of pride but a crown of humility, charity, and unwavering faith. In him, we see an image of the earthly ruler transformed into a vessel of divine wisdom, a new Solomon who built not merely with the hands of men but by the providence of God.
The life of Saint Lalibela is a testament to the wondrous mysteries of our faith. From his youth, he was set apart by God, having been visited by divine visions and receiving a foretaste of the glory of the New Jerusalem. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ promised to prepare for us a dwelling place in His eternal Kingdom, so too did Lalibela seek to prepare a holy city for his people—a city not built for worldly glory but as an icon of the Heavenly Jerusalem. With fervent love for God and by the aid of His holy angels, he oversaw the carving of the monolithic churches, hewn from solid rock, as a living testament to the presence of God among His people.
Brethren, we marvel at these holy edifices, but greater still is the temple of the soul that Saint Lalibela fashioned through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. He understood well the words of our Lord, that “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Though he was a king, he lived as a humble ascetic, fasting and praying with the monks, feeding the poor, and seeking justice for his people. His life resounds with the call of Christ: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Therefore, let us take heed of his example. In our own lives, we may not be called to build cities of stone, but we are all called to build the temple of our hearts. Each act of love, each moment of prayer, and each work of mercy is a stone laid in the spiritual house we offer to God. Let us not seek the riches of this passing world, but strive instead for the imperishable treasures of heaven, where our true citizenship lies.
As we celebrate this divine feast, let us pray for the intercessions of Saint Lalibela, that he may guide us in the path of humility and faithfulness. May we too be found worthy, through repentance and love, to enter the New Jerusalem, where Christ reigns in glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
