Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Great and Holy Week Fast
Great and Holy Tuesday
6th Hour: Ezekiel 1:21-2:1 1st Vespers: Exodus 2:5-10 2nd Vespers: Job 1:13-22
Ezekiel 1:21-2:1 RSV, especially vs. 1:28-2:1: "I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of One
speaking. And He said to me, 'Son of man, stand upon your feet, and I will speak with you.'" We continue with Ezekiel's
account of the vision he received "while in the midst of the captivity" (vs. 1:1). The portion read yesterday focused
attention on the setting of the wondrous theophany which was manifested to Ezekiel. Today, the account turns toward the
Person of the Lord. The Prophet now integrates the description of the "four living creatures,"or Cherubim (vss.1:5-21),
with a description of God enthroned in His heavenly majesty.
As careful readers, we shall seek to grasp the whole of this vision spread over two lessons (vss. 4-26). The heavens open to
Ezekiel through a cloud (vs. 4). The Prophet sees four radiant Cherubim, living creatures who fly beneath the great throne
of God (vss. 5-14). The throne itself is set up on a vast expanse of awesome crystal, called, in the translation, a
"firmament" (vss. 22-26). It is akin to the pavement described in Exodus (24:9) or the sea of crystal in the Revelation
(4:6). The famous "wheels" move in perfect concert with the Cherubim (Ezek. 1:15-21). The throne is a massive royal
chariot, by which we understand that God moves freely everywhere.
Certain truths concerning God emerge from this vivid imagery. He is "everywhere present and adored" by the angelic hosts
(vs. 21). He is Almighty, awe-inspiring in His majesty (vs.2:1). Man is made in His image (vs. 1:26), yet men rightfully
ought to fall down before His majesty (vs. 2:1). We are faced with an awesome vision of God. So then, as we did
yesterday, let us consider how we may relate this vision to the Lord's Passion.
Remember, the Church reads the account of this vision immediately before reading from the Passion narrative - to help us
understand that we are confronting One and the same God. Only the mortal darkness which falls over men's hearts clouds
our vision (Rom. 1:21). A godless view of life blinds the worldly men and women of this age so that they fail even to
glimpse God in the broken man on the Cross, yet He is the same One Who sits on the throne of sapphire (Ezek. 1:26). "For
the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1
Cor. 1:18). As the Liturgy states: "The whole creation, O Christ, hath been transfigured by fear at beholding Thee
suspended on the Cross." Beloved, let us cry out to Him Who willingly endured the Cross, "O Lord, glory to Thee."
The Prophet's vision also teaches us to see power in the Cross, unimaginable power from the source of Power - from God
Himself. What glorious irony there is in the Passion! The frail figure of God in the flesh stands before Pilate. He appears
as the mere victim of overwhelming forces. Realize that these powers still seek to frighten men today. So let us name and
disarm them: they are demonic powers working through political, social, and physical entities. They joined together
"against the Lord and against His Christ" (Ps. 2:2 LXX), but "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn"
(Ps. 2:4 LXX). The One Who is surrounded "...with the appearance of fire all around..." (Ezek. 1:27) "shall herd them with
a rod of iron" (Ps. 2:8 LXX).
Finally the figure of Ezekiel prostrate before the "glory of the Lord" incites us to humble ourselves before the Holy Lord
Jesus. "O come, let us worship and fall down before Him" (Ps. 94:6 LXX). When Great and Holy Thursday comes, let us
come forward to the icon of the Cross and kiss the feet of the Almighty on His majestic throne. Is it not He Who speaks to
us and says, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you" (Ezek. 2:1)?
When Thou comest, O God, to earth with glory, and the river floweth before the Altar, deliver me then from that
unquenchable fire and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand.