Great and Holy Monday Holy Week Fast
Monday, April 25, 2005
6th Hour: Ezekiel 1:1-20 2nd Vespers: Job 1:1-12 Gospel: St. Matthew 24:3-35
St. Matthew 24:3-35, especially vs. 35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no
means pass away." Recognizing that the revelations of the Lord Jesus in this passage are extensive, St. John Chrysostom
addressed these teachings in a series of three homilies. In the midst of preaching his sermons, the great Archbishop
observed a fact about the design of these revelations of Christ that should not be overlooked in reading the text.
The first portion of the Lord's teaching (vss. 3-22) was given as a warning to first century Christians "of wars in
Jerusalem....of the Jewish wars coming upon them at no great distance, for henceforth the Roman arms were a matter of
anxiety." From verse 23 onward, the Lord "having passed over all the intermediate time from the taking of Jerusalem unto
the preludes of the consummation...speaketh of the time just before the consummation." This division places us between
two historical moments - a calamitous war of the first century, and the Lord's "second coming [which] shall be also more
grievous than the former" event, bringing history to an end. Throughout His revelations, the Lord's primary concern is for
His beloved, the Church. To the Faithful of the first century, He provided an ample description of what would [and did]
take place to bring on the Jewish rebellion and the full retaliation of Rome and her legions. To our brethren of that
generation, the Lord added this key warning, "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (vs. 16). With respect
to His second coming, He cautions us as every generation, "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ! or
'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if
possible, even the elect....For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the
Son of Man be" (vss 23,24,27). To all, the Lord's assurance is ever the same: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My
words will by no means pass away" (vs. 35). Therefore, let us give close attention to the words of Christ our God! Most
of all our Master cautions us that when deceivers come along to present us with other christs, "do not believe it" (vs. 23).
As the Apostle Paul reminds every Orthodox Christian: "as there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is one
God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and
through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge" (1 Cor. 8:5-7). Look at the icons of the Lord in
our temples. He alone is our Sovereign and our God. Be good servants and wait for Him. Second, if anyone tries to lure
us away from the peace which the Orthodox Church gives in every Liturgy by announcing exciting news that "'He is in the
desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and
flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Mt. 24:26,27). It seems that not just in every generation
now, but decade by decade - if not year by year - people are making the news with solid programs for deepening your
spiritual life. What! They speak as if the Holy Tradition handed on to us is not alive and available today, this very
moment, in the Church of God. He is known, taught, served, received, and worshiped as ever! Until He returns for every
eye to see, let us be at peace in the safety of the Church.
We have fair warnings in what the Holy Fathers teach us: the cleansing of our souls, the preparation of our hearts for the
Bridal Chamber, the attainment of a worthy wedding garment. Yea, I the Creator, rich in Godhead, came Myself to serve
poor Adam, whose likeness I took willingly, and to give Myself as a Redemption for him, Who Am without suffering as to
My Godhead....for God granteth His servants incorruptible crowns.