Thursday, February 19, 2004
Meat Fast
New Martyr Nikita of Epiros
Kellia: Joel 3:12-21 Epistle: Jude 1:1-10 Gospel: St. Luke 23:3-24, 44-56
Joel 3:12-21, especially vs. 12, "Let the nations be wakened and come
up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge...." As we draw close to the coming
Fast of Great Lent and conclude the series of readings from St. Luke's historical record of the
Lord Jesus' Passion, we simultaneously focus on a passage from Prophet Joel which directs our
attention to a Day yet-to-come, the Day of Judgment, when all men will stand before the One
Whose arrest, trial, condemnation, and crucifixion we have been considering. To be precise: the
very Crucified One, being God Himself, will, at the last Day, give the command to every man
who has ever lived in all of history to come before Him in the Valley of the "Lord's Judgment" -
in Hebrew, Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:12).
Thus, at the threshold of the Great Fast, God's Prophet Joel warns us and pleads with us to
prepare for that coming, dread Day of the Lord. Clearly, we will either use Lent to prepare for
darkness and death or eternal life and salvation. Let us heed the Prophet, while we may choose to
fast and struggle within ourselves for purity. Let us not ignore this godly plea and deliberately
join those who will not heed Christ, for all such will surely face desolation and violence.
In the coming Fast we have the opportunity to awaken our hearts and minds to the Holy One Who
calls us to fast. Let us, therefore, not abstain in some narrow, craven, slavish obedience to rules
concerning the intake of food. The Lord Jesus asks us to shape our Lenten efforts to Him
personally: "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and
rend your hearts." (Joel 2:12, 13). St. Athanasios particularly directs us to the Lord's command
to "sanctify a fast" (Joel 2:15), warning us that, "the boast of fasting did no good to the Pharisee,
although he fasted twice in the week, only because he exalted himself."
Rather, Beloved, let us reflect on the dread day of Judgment, and allow the Prophet's call to
awaken us for the coming Lenten effort. First, notice how terrifying and severe Joel's imagery is
as He describes the Divine Judgment (vss. 13-15). Then note that he also explicitly speaks of the
Lord sparing and blessing His People (vss. 16-17), yet leaving no doubt that God also will make
an inquisition for the righteous blood of His people which has been shed. Finally, he reveals that
when God judges there will be separation: "sheep from goats, left from right, guilty and children
of the Kingdom" (Mt. 25:32, 33; Joel 3:19-21).
Judgment is not pretty, but severe and terrifying. God will cut down, tread upon, press all evil-doers "for their wickedness is multiplied" (Joel 3:13). Divine judgment means repayment for
crimes and wrongs. There will be resounding noise from the multitudes of wicked who will face
their own cruel and wicked actions (vs. 14). Many will be thrust into eternal darkness where no
consoling, created lights will be available (vs. 15). God will give them no light.
Still, when the Lord shakes the heaven and the earth, on that great and terrible day, He also "shall
spare His people, and shall strengthen the children of Israel" (vs. 16). At the same time, His
Church will be purified of "strangers" (vs. 17), even as the Lord Himself has said, "I never knew
you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Mt. 7:23). Those who say they "belong"
but who have scoffed at His call to purity will be separated out forever.
The Prophet concludes with contrasting images - for the Children of God there will be sweet
wine, flowing milk, springs of water, and eternal habitation with the Lord (Joel 3:18), but
ominously God says, "I will make inquisition [of the guilty] for their blood [of the holy martyrs
and innocents], and will by no means leave it unavenged" (vs. 21). Lent is a gift for preparing!
O soul, beware, before the end, and cry out, God, save me, for Thou alone art compassionate.
