Friday, January 23, 2004
Hieromartyr Clement of Ancyra
Kellia: Wisdom 4:7-15 Epistle: 1 Peter 1:1-2, 10-12; 2:6-10 Gospel: St. Mark 12:1-12
Wisdom 4:7-15, especially vs. 13, "Being perfected
in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore He took
him quickly from the midst of wickedness." The Prophet David acquaints us with that which the
Lord decrees concerning ripe old age: "He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High.... With
length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation" (Ps. 90:1, 16 LXX).
Throughout Scripture, old age is held in high honor, being perceived as the Lord's reward for
those who fear Him (Pr. 10:27). In the present Old Testament reading, Solomon modifies this
affirmation significantly, yet without weakening its truth. He does so by delineating honorable
old age as the equivalent of spiritual maturity: "For old age is not honored for length of time, nor
measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe
old age" (Wis. 4:8-9).
Having shifted the true measure of honorable maturity away from accumulated years to godly
"understanding" and a "blameless life," Solomon illustrates using the example of Enoch (vss. 10-15). One of the earliest ante-diluvian patriarchs, Enoch was so pleasing to God that he was taken
"quickly from the midst of wickedness" (vs. 14), "lest evil change his understanding or guile
deceive his soul" (vs. 11). Along with Noah, he is the only patriarch after Adam who "walked
with God" (Gen. 5:24). Furthermore, close communion with God is the reason given that his life
was shortened and that he was assumed directly into heaven (Gen. 5:24).
Enoch's case is especially important because he embodies Solomon's more exacting definition of
true old age. Among the antediluvians, Methuselah is remembered as the longest lived at 969
years. Most of the rest lived nearly nine hundred or more years, with the exception of Lamech,
Noah's father, who lived 777 years, and Enoch, who lived a much shorter 365 years (Gen. 5).
Let us return to what Solomon tells us further about Enoch.
First, in summary, we learn that Enoch "was one who pleased God and was loved by Him" (Wis.
5:10). He met Solomon's criteria of spiritual "understanding" and a "blameless life." His
example challenges us to see how "bereft of the life of the righteous" we are, as St. Andrew of
Crete says, prompting us to strive for closer communion with the Lord.
Second, Enoch's abrupt assumption is presented as God's provident solution to his living among
gross sinners and the attendant danger that the evil all around him might "change his
understanding or...deceive his soul" (vs. 11). We are prompted to beware for our soul's health.
Third, Solomon provides a keen analysis of the seductive nature of evil for the human heart, soul,
and mind, highlighting especially its fascinating, obscuring, restless, and perverting power on the
"innocent mind" (vs.12). "Mind" in the original (LXX) is "nous," the inclusive term for the
whole interior life, and especially for the deepest center of one's heart or spirit.
Next, Solomon rests his case for redefining "true old age" on the fact that Enoch was "perfected
in a short time" (vs. 13), thus fulfilling God's purpose in granting anyone years of life. It is a
point to consider whenever we hear the prayer, "Many Years" sung or chanted. God in His
goodness suffers long with us to lead us "to repentance" (Rom. 2:4), as the Apostle teaches.
Finally, let us recognize that most people, hopefully not including ourselves, 'see' but do "not
understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are with His elect" (Wis.
5:15). The time is short, Beloved of the Lord. Let us strive for God-pleasing perfection.
My soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near. Awake, then, and be watchful,
that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fillest all things.