Bright Wednesday
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
4th Vigil of Pascha: Jonah 1 Apostle: Acts 2:22-38 Gospel: St. John 1:35-51
St. John 1:35-51, especially vss. 35-37: "Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples;
and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, 'Behold the Lamb of God!' And the two disciples heard him speak, and
they followed Jesus." The word translated here as "followed" has a twofold sense: 1) that the two disciples of John started
down a path after Jesus, and 2) that they committed themselves to be His disciples. Notice also that it was the remark of
the Forerunner John which impelled them, "Behold the Lamb of God!" St. John Chrysostom characterizes the response of
these two disciples of the Baptist in a powerful analogy: "So it was with Christ. He came to join to Himself the Church; He
said nothing, but merely came. It was His friend, John, who put into His the bride's right hand, when by his discourses he
gave into His hand the souls of men."
The two disciples "followed," and in that moment the Church came into existence, the Head and two members were joined
for eternity, the Bridegroom and the Bride. Ever after the souls of the Faithful have been placed one by one in His loving
and gracious hand, and He has never refused, receiving them as His own forever. This is how the Holy Church grows, each
one commits his hand to the Bridegroom. The ceremonies of the Holy Mysteries, the celebrations and receptions follow;
but at some point there must be such a personal surrender.
Beloved, do you remember when you placed your hand in His? Perhaps it was in the sacred Mysteries. Perhaps the
celebration of the Mysteries came before or after you chose to follow Christ. The issue is: do you remember the moment
when your soul went out to Him, when you put yourself in His hands? For each one there comes a moment to accept or
decline betrothal. Let us consider what led the first six members of the Church to accept betrothal.
The first was Andrew, who now is known as "Andrew the First-Called." He and his companion, before their "betrothal,"
were disciples of the Forerunner. During the days before these two turned from John to follow Jesus (Jn. 1:29,35), the
Prophet was preparing them for "the Lord Who was coming" (vss. 25,27). In verses 25-34, the Forerunner designated the
Savior eight different ways: as Christ, as One among you, as the Lamb of God, etc. After these revelations, it took only one
final remark to complete the Forerunner's work. Many of us, after receiving sound and careful teaching, subsequently
chose to commit ourselves to Christ.
Tradition holds that Andrew's unnamed companion was John the Beloved Disciple, the very Evangelist whose account we
are reading. His modesty to name himself in his record is evident several times: at the Last Supper (Jn. 13:23), at the Cross
(Jn.19:26), at the empty tomb (Jn 20:2), and by the sea (21:7, 20). Like Andrew, He came at the Forerunner's disclosure.
Peter came because he trusted the testimony of his brother Andrew. "We have found the Messiah!" (vs. 41). How
important is the witness of family members! Let us remember that God can and does use us to bring our loved ones to
betrothal. Let us never prevent them!
Friendship brings many to Christ as Philip and Nathanael demonstrate. Philip was a "hometown" acquaintance. The Lord
Jesus touched his heart through his prior relationship with Andrew, Peter, and John. They all were from Bethsaida (vs. 44).
Similarly, our witness in the community as Christians is spiritually significant. Neighbors see the value or the lack of
worth in our Faith. We serve either as barriers or as bridges for others who live down the street, for one we know on the
job, for one who sees us at play, or for one in community gatherings.
O Blessed Master Who hast called us to Thyself, inspire our witness to Thee that all may know the power of Thy
forgiveness and the hope of salvation which is found in Thee alone.