Tuesday, November 30, 2004 Nativity Fast
The Apostle Andrew, The First-Called
Kellia: 4 Kings 6:14-23 LXX Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Gospel: St. John 1:35-51STRONG> 2 Kings 6:14-23 MT ~ 4 Kings 6:14-23 LXX, especially vs. 17:
"And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, open, I pray Thee, the eyes of the servant and let him see.
And the Lord opened his eyes, and he saw: and, behold the mountain was full of horses, and
there were chariots of fire round about Elisha." This short account records how it was that a war
between the ancient kingdoms of Syria and Israel was brought to a peaceful conclusion by the use
of godly and spiritual tactics. While on the surface these verses contain some fine humor, they
also place profound lessons before us, that we may come to a better mind - as we pray at
Compline "for those who hate us and those who love us."
The first debt we owe for this passage is the blunt reminder that we live in more than the obvious
dimensions of reality we call the physical universe. Oh, there is so much more! It should be
obvious that there is a psychological dimension that spreads over all human societies and
cultures. Our language and writing systems, our messages, advertisements, non-verbal gestures,
signs, buildings, art - everything we construct - communicates to others. This includes ideas,
whole philosophies, hopes, visions, emotions, and so much else at the psychological level. It is a
whole interpenetrating realm of existence in which we participate as we walk, ride, and run
around; and how much more important it is than the physical artifacts and objects that make up
the material culture around us.
In addition, as this passage reveals, there is a spiritual dimension occupied with non-corporeal
beings (vs. 17); and this realm likewise encompasses our whole experience and life; for we are
not merely physical beings with psychological makeups, but spiritual beings as well that can
communicate and act within the spiritual realm. The Prophet Elisha asked God, Who is Spirit (Jn.
4:24), and Who meets us in the spiritual dimension through our spiritual hearts, to open the eyes
of his servant to see the hosts of the Lord. Likewise, he "prayed to the Lord, and said, 'Smite, I
pray Thee, this people with blindness'" (4 Kngs 4:18), and thus, he was able to lead the Syrians
into the heart of the capital of the nation of Israel, Samaria, and deliver them without a blow to
the king of Israel where "the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw" (vs. 20). See how different are
the rules of engagement in the spiritual realm! As in the physical realm there is warfare in the
spiritual dimension. That is why in Holy Chrismation we pray God to keep each Orthodox
Christian "ever a warrior invincible in every attack of those who assail him and us; and make us
all victors, even unto the end." Prayer is the primary weapon by which we defeat the unseen
enemies, and obtain aid from God in exerting His "trenchant might, speedily [to] crush down
Satan under our feet, and give us victory." Woe to those, like Elisha's servant, who, in spiritual
combat, are unaware of the resources around and available to them.
Our human friends and foes, if they are unaware of the spiritual warfare in which they exist, may
be used as pawns by the real enemy. In any case, human beings are not our primary foes. Our goal
in this life, given the reality of spiritual combat, is that the eyes of all of us - ourselves, our
friends and our foes alike - be opened that we may all see one another as brethren and thus
discern correctly who is the real foe and where the true danger lies for each one. Whatever
necessary tasks armies and police agencies have, beyond all, enlightenment by the power of the
Holy Spirit is the only way to lasting and genuine peace for mankind. To correct, to lead from
spiritual blindness, to forgive, and to bring all to the banquet of the Lord is our labor in Christ.
For the civil authorities of this land, for the welfare of our armed forces, for those who hate us
and those who love us, and for the soul of every Orthodox Christian, Lord, have mercy!