His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian: Wealth is not evil in itself;

what is harmful is its egoistic use, detached from God

On Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian was present among the faithful of St. Nektarios of Aegina Mission in Kelowna, British Columbia. This mission was established in March 2023 and is shepherded by Fr. Ciprian Pavel Roman.

On Saturday evening, the Paraklesis to the Mother of God was served. At the end, the hierarch spoke about the importance of the feasts dedicated to the Mother of God throughout the liturgical year. The hierarch also emphasized the example of holiness offered by the Mother of God and the unique role she played in the history of our salvation.

On Sunday morning, the faithful participated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. In his homily, the Bishop of Canada gave a brief introduction to the liturgical period of the Nativity Fast. He then highlighted the pedagogical role of the Gospel parable read that day, emphasizing the importance of humility and helping one’s neighbor. He explained that this teaching calls us not to look only toward ourselves, but also toward those around us: “This was, in fact, the very work of the Son of God, our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God deemed it necessary to send Christ into the world, incarnate of the Virgin Mary, for our salvation.”

Referring to the words of St. Paul the Apostle — “Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” — the hierarch explained their meaning: “The world, estranged from God through the sin of disobedience in Paradise, was plunged into the darkness of sins, conflicts, revenge, and wars — realities we still see today. But through the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Incarnation, the Light of God entered the world. ‘A great light has shone upon us,’ says one of the Old Testament texts. God is light. And if Christ, the eternal Light, was born of the Virgin Mary, it means that divine light came to dwell among people. (…) We are not light by our own will, but by the gift of God, who sent His Son to offer Himself to the world, taking on our human nature and transforming it into a path of righteousness and a vehicle toward the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Commenting on the exhortation, “Understand what the will of the Lord is,” the Romanian hierarch stated: “The life of a Christian is, in essence, a search for the will of God, from which humanity had distanced itself through disobedience. Our return to God means seeking and fulfilling His will — which is, in fact, the true fulfillment of our lives.”

Regarding the Gospel saying, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God,” the hierarch said: “Wealth is not evil in itself, but it becomes harmful when used improperly. Saint Confessor Dumitru Stăniloae teaches that the human tendency to fill life with material goods is a fallen form of the natural longing to be filled with God and His grace. Wealth becomes a means of salvation when it is used for the good and comfort of those around us, becoming a source of charity and consolation. Thus, wealth is not evil in itself; what is harmful is its egoistic use, detached from God.”

At the end, on the occasion of the Centennial Year, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian awarded the centennial medals, insignias, and merit diplomas to Fr. Ciprian Pavel Roman and to several members of the mission who, through their work, dedication, love, and help, have supported and strengthened its activity.

(contribution by Nun Ana Bulgariu)