Tues. October 26, 2004
Great Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh Streaming of Thessalonika
3rd Vespers, Martyr Demetrios: Wisdom 4:7-15 Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:1-10
Gospel: St. John 15:17-16:2
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).
In Scripture generally, old age is held in high honor and perceived as the Lord's reward for those
who fear Him (Pr. 10:27). In this reading from Wisdom, Solomon modifies this affirmation
significantly, but 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 measure of honorable maturity away from accumulated years to godly
"understanding" and a "blameless life," Solomon illustrates his point by referring to the person of
Enoch (vss. 10-15). One of the earliest ante-diluvial 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). To protect his close communion with God, his life
was shortened, and he was taken directly into heaven (Gen. 5:24).
Enoch's case is especially important because he embodies Solomon's 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
note, then, what Solomon tells us about Enoch.
In summary, we learn that Enoch "was one who pleased God and was loved by Him" (Wis. 5:10).
Obviously, he met Solomon's criteria of spiritual "understanding" and a "blameless life," and his
example challenges us to see how "bereft of the life of the righteous" we are, as St. Andrew of
Crete says, and prompts us to strive for closer communion with the God the Lord.
Second, Enoch's abrupt assumption is presented as God's provident solution to his living among
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 evil's fascinating, obscuring, restless, and perverting power on
the "innocent mind" (vs.12). "Mind" in the original 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 ourselves included - "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). Our 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.