Friday, March 12, 2004
Lenten Fast
Gregory the Dialogist. Pope of Rome
6th Hour: Isaiah 13:2-13 1st Vespers: Genesis 8:3-21 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 10:31-11:12
Isaiah 13:2-13 LXX, especially vs. 5: "To come from a land afar off, from the utmost foundation
of heaven; the Lord and His warriors are coming to destroy all the world." In Hiroshima, on the ground near the epicenter
of the infamous atomic blast, there remains, burned into a portion of the former sidewalk, the shadow of a man who was
walking there at the time of the detonation. He was evaporated, but his shadow, a lasting memorial of an unknown man
seared into the surface of the cement, still reminds us of his presence on earth.
Today's reading is a prophetic vision of the future which Isaiah foresaw long ago, of a grim Day akin to that day which
burned the shadow of a hapless man into concrete. However, the Day which Isaiah foresaw will shatter the entire world.
Isaiah's vision spurs us to "wail" from the heart (vs. 6) and consider the terrible destruction that is coming on the Day of
the Lord.
On the Day of the Lord, God will send noble warriors, angelic beings (not as in the RSV, "mighty men") to execute His
"wrath and fierce anger" (vss. 3,9). These apostles of Divine wrath will "destroy the whole earth" (vs. 5) "exulting" as they
mete out the justice of God (vs. 3). All nations will know tumult (vs. 4), indignation (vs. 5), impotence and fear (vs. 7),
dismay (vs. 8), agony and horror (vs. 8), and the shock will flame up on every face (vs. 8). All who formerly were proud
and honored will be utterly laid low for their iniquity and ruthlessness (vs. 11).
Even to speak of such things disturbs the mind and heart. The images evoke a realization of an aspect of God's nature and
of human sordidness which disturbs us. We tend to avoid thinking and speaking of such final, dread times. It is for this
reason that the Lord specifically says, "On a bare hill raise a signal, cry aloud to them; wave the hand for them...." Better
each man should look honestly at this reality now and cry out like the thief on the cross while, by the grace of God, the
possibility remains to us of mercy and deliverance from such judgment.
Consider the implication of Isaiah's vision: the Day of the Lord will engulf the entire universe - the stars of heaven, "the
sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light." (vs. 10). Beloved, the Lord warns us through His
Prophets, and He sent His Apostles to save all men from the coming dread universal judgment (Mt. 28:19). Yet, the
borders of many lands still are closed to the Gospel by ignorance, fear, and darkness. In some places even to speak of the
Faith is a capital crime. Nonetheless, all nations will be judged for their acceptance or rejection of salvation. Most all
kings and the majority of earth's people will face the pain and degradation of the dread Day of the Lord (vss. 2,3,7,11). We
hear in these verses the same message which St. Paul delivered with all urgency at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:31).
Finally, we learn the reason for this universal judgment: human rebellion against God and His righteous law. God is not
capricious, nor is He cruel, only just and righteous. His hand has long been stayed and withheld from such judgment,
despite immeasurable and terrible atrocities across the face of the earth. The last century especially saw much that was
depraved and sinful, leading God to say, "I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an
end to the pride of the arrogant, and lay low the haughtiness of the ruthless." (vs. 11). The pride of haughty transgressors
will be stilled as God Himself corrects Earth's wrongs (vs. 11).
Isaiah's vision of desolation is relieved by the smallest word of hope: there will be a few left, "men more rare than fine
gold" (vs. 12), for God is just and righteous, not cruel. He "desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4), and some men and
women do heed His pleas. These are counted by God as "the gold of Ophir" (vs. 12) - precious and of great value.
O Immortal King and God, our Savior, grant us the mercies of Thine eternal kingdom!
