Saturday, January 15, 2005
The Venerable Paul of Thebes and John the Hut-dweller
10th Vigil of Theophany: Judges 6:36-40 Epistle: Galatians 5:22-6:2 Gospel: St. Luke 12:32-40
St. Luke 12:32-40, especially vs. 40: "Therefore you...be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you
do not expect." It is one thing to become an Orthodox Christian; it is another to live consciously as a servant of Christ,
responsive to Him at all times and under all circumstances. To do so means being on "ready alert"- to borrow a term from
the military, the police and fire departments, the medical trauma teams, and the repair departments of our utility companies.
Terms such as "on call, available, responsive, and prepared" characterize such an orientation in life. Ask anyone who has
ever been on guard duty in combat, a worker in an emergency hospital, a sworn officer in a disaster, or a utility worker
when a major storm comes.
Because most of us are not sufficiently aware of the real conditions in the spiritual dimension of life, we are like innocent
children - seriously vulnerable to paralysis by fear, over-dependent on familiar resources, and inattentive. For this reason,
our Lord Jesus Christ provides us with the instructions and encouragement in today's Gospel reading - to wake us up and
bring us to a higher, more ready state of alert. As we are told in the Liturgy: "Let us attend!"
The Lord Jesus begins with the issue of fear, prompting us not to lose heart that somehow God the Father is not good for
His promises. No, our Lord asserts, it is the Father's capable, able pleasure to bring in the Kingdom of God, to assert His
reign over all facets of existence - over every matter and action we are able to see and all those we cannot set our eyes upon
physically. However, fear, once let loose and accepted, can paralyze or stampede us to our great harm. In all situations,
when surprise or boredom dominate, Christ encourages us to trust God for what He promises, things such as eternal life (1
Jn 2:25), brighter days (Ps 29:5 LXX), comfort in trials (Is 43:2), providence (Rom 8:28), grace to face whatever comes (2
Cor 12:9), and so much more. Our response to the first hints of fear must be to confess our fears and declare our trust in
God. It is a matter of fighting back against the weakening in ourselves by trusting in the Lord's strength.
One of the most likely areas for fear is loss or shortfall of material resources and support. We are so oriented to the
physical realm instead of the spiritual! Hence, it is necessary to declare ourselves, remind ourselves, be clear that we are
only stewards of all that is in our hands and control. All earthly things are the Lord's, not ours. Good reminders of this fact
of life are to tithe at least ten percent of what we receive as income, and to go beyond that to planning regular offerings for
those in need and dependent on gifts and assistance. So the Lord Jesus directs us to give alms, to apply the standards of the
kingdom to handling our finances, and never to forget that "where [our] treasure is, there [our] heart will be also" (Lk.
10:34). Above all let us value what God values: the status of our hearts, our motives, and our capacity for love.
Repeatedly, throughout this instruction, the Lord brings our attention to watchfulness, waiting and watching for Him. We
must be ready to respond to whatever God allows to come upon us in life, and to respond, first and foremost, only in those
ways that are pleasing to Him: "let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait
for their master" (vss. 35,36). However, watchfulness must be in two directions simultaneously - toward a readiness to
please God, and, at the same time, an alert attitude ready to oppose any suggestions from the enemy (vs. 39). Our foe has
devices. He constantly is making suggestions. Never doubt that the thief of souls will be setting traps for every one of us.
"Let us attend!" The hope is that despite all, "the Son of Man is coming" (vs. 40). Not knowing when, let us be alert!
In the night I rise up early beseeching Thee, O Lover of mankind. Lighten me and guide me to Thy commandments. Teach
me, O Savior, to do Thy will.