Saturday, March 26, 2005 Lenten Fast
The Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
2nd Vespers Annunciation: Ezekiel 43:27-44:4 Epistle: Hebrews 3:12-16 Gospel: St. Mark 1:35-44
St. Mark 1:35-44, especially vs. 35: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight,
He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." The Lord Jesus Christ reveals Himself as the
consummate Man of Prayer, as today's reading shows. Consider: not only did He pray during His three year ministry, but
even now He prays, for as the Apostle teaches, "He always lives to make intercession" for us (Heb. 7:25). Think of it!
Christ Jesus our Lord as the God-Man, hears our prayers and offers them to the Father. As a fellow Man, He Himself
prayed, and more wonderfully, He continues praying now and forever. So what is there about prayer that He does not
know and understand fully? To what greater Teacher may we turn for instruction in prayer? Let us join Metropolitan
Philaret in praying to the Lord: "Direct our wills, teach us to pray, pray Thou Thyself in us." After all, being baptized into
Christ, we "have put on Christ" (Gal.3:27). Thus, we have assurance that He is always ready within our spirits to pray with
us and for us. In today's reading the Lord Jesus teaches us three aspects of prayer: 1) maintaining an intimate relationship
with Him, 2) fighting off demonic interference, and 3) cleansing our hearts to be vessels of pure prayer.
Prayer is struggle, something Simon Peter and many have encountered. We must find Christ (Mk. 1:36)! Many fail to
understand what is driving them to search for truth, light, happiness, love, and meaning, but Peter understood: "Everyone is
looking for You" (Mk. 1:37). And the Lord intends that we should seek Him, "grope for Him and find Him, though He is
not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:27,28).
Beloved, how blessed we are among all men if we have found Him, for in Him is the true Faith! Like Christ's first
Disciples, we too may discover that we have become separated from Him. Then we must search for Him, to be united
again with Him (Mk. 1:36,37). Often, we lose the Lord by falling asleep spiritually (Mk 14:37). But the Lord knows our
weaknesses, and that is exactly why He told Peter and the others: "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The
spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mk. 14:38).
After the disciples came to the Lord, He led them "throughout all Galilee...casting out demons" (Mk. 1:39). The Lord leads
us through many places in this life. And in each one, as we are willing, He teaches us to pray, casting out the demons He
finds. They come and attack us mercilessly, especially during prayer. Have you not heard their voices? "What madness is
this? What are you doing? He is not within you! You are deceived. Deal with real life!"
Against such let us cry out with St. John of Kronstadt: "O my strength, Jesus, Son of God! O Light of my mind! The
peace, the joy of my heart - glory to Thee! Glory to Thee, Deliverer from my invisible enemies, that fight against my mind
and my heart, slaying me in the very source of my life, in my most sensitive part!" Christ our God does cast them out (vs.
39)!
Since the Lord Jesus indwells us, what else is it within us that enables the demons to distract and tempt us so readily? Let
us confess the weakness in our hearts and minds - our fallen flesh. We are diseased, like the leper in this reading, corrupted
throughout. St. John of the Ladder points the way to health: "Repentance is critical awareness and a sure watch over
oneself....Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord....Repentance is purification." Let us learn from the leper who was
healed. And come to Him, "imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, 'If Thou art willing, Thou canst
make me clean'" (vs. 40). Let us also ask Him to stretch out His hand and heal our leprous hearts and souls. He is faithful
so to do (1 Jn. 1:9).
O Master, Who art merciful, grant unto us who pray, Thy rich mercies and compassions.