Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005
Great-Martyr Photeini the Samaritan Woman & Companions
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 13:19-14:15 Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Gospel: St. Luke 20:45-21:4
St. Luke 20:45-21:4, especially vss. 46, 47: "Beware of the scribes...who devour widows' houses,
and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." It is ironic that the scribes were
condemned by the Lord (vss. 46,47). As devout scholars, they were renown for study and teaching of the Divine
Scriptures. They swore never to receive payment from their profession, but to live solely by their own labor, from subsidies
provided by the wealthy, or from hospitality. Because of these ideals, they were highly honored. Their lives had a quality
much like the Lord's own manner of living (Lk.10:4-8).
However, over the years, these teachers of the Law gained a monopoly in interpreting the Scriptures, turning its plain
meaning into incomprehensible, esoteric teachings. By the first-century most of these elite scholars believed that they were
highly favored by God. They became distant from the populace, disdaining the majority which "knew not this Law" (Jn.
7:49). Worse, they expected honors and a wide range of perks for themselves (Lk. 20:46). Many of the well-to-do turned
over the management of their finances to the scribes. Abuses followed, and, as history shows, many people let them
manage their estates from which they prospered. No doubt, among these who were used by the scribes were widows, as the
Lord states (vs. 20:47).
What were God's ancient commandments that the scribes twisted and should have taught? "You shall not afflict any
widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry, and My
wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword..." (Ex. 22:22-24). Services always are to be administered
impartially. The fatherless and widow must be protected against the greed of any who would deprive them of food or
clothing (Deut.10:18). In the market place, the defenseless are to be assisted, not reduced to convenient sources of profit
(Lev. 25:35-37). At prayer and in fellowship every effort is to be made to include and welcome as equals the disadvantaged
and poor (Deut. 16:11-12).
By contrast, the Lord and His disciples lived in a way that was a tacit reproach to the scribes (Lk. 9:58). He was poor,
without income, and truly depended upon gifts and assistance from friends who maintained Him and His disciples in their
ministry (Mk. 15:40,41). Notice that by calling attention to the widow who made an offering of "all the livelihood that she
had" (Lk. 21:3,4), He holds up the example of one from among the poor who lived the ideals which the scribes professed.
Brethren, He Who commands us to protect the defenseless, having become Incarnate, remains changeless in His truth. Let
us not fall under His denunciation of the scribes. We must not fail to note that the Lord's warning concerning the scribes
is for "His disciples" (Lk. 20:45). It is for us. He would not have us fall under His judgment reserved for those who abuse
the defenseless (Deut. 27:19) or those who say that evil is good (Mal. 2:17).
Predatory religion can stealthily overtake one. The Apostle James illumines the problem: "You lust and do not have. You
murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not
receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures....Do you not know that friendship with the world
is enmity with God?" (Jas. 4:2-4). Let us agree with St. John Chrysostom that the Kingdom is not "bought with
money...but by purpose of mind. There is no need for money, but of the [godly] disposition; if thou hast this thou wilt be
able even by two mites to purchase heaven."
I, the wretched one, have destroyed Thy riches, O Lord, squandering them, and I have submitted myself to evil devils.
Wherefore O most compassionate Savior, have compassion on me, purify me, the polluted one, and restore to me the first
robe of Thy kingdom.