Friday, April 2, 2004
Lenten Fast
The Venerable Titos the Wonder-worker
6th Hour: Isaiah 66:10-24 1st Vespers: Genesis 49:23-50:26 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 31:8-31
Isaiah 66:10-24 LXX, especially vs. 10: "Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and all you that love her hold in her
a general assembly: rejoice greatly with her, all that now mourn over her...." Pascha is eternal salvation. The Life-Giver
is our Pascha, and this prophecy of Isaiah is flooded with the radiance of God's eternal Pascha - with grace that comes upon
us from on High. Therefore, let us never conceive of the Lord's Paschal victory as a mere, past event.
In fact, all that we celebrate in Great and Holy Week transforms and transcends the limits of time. The Cross, the nails, the
spear, and death are eternal along with the glorious Resurrection. The Lord's Resurrection is an eternal, active promise, a
hope and earnest of the Life to come. Let us arise, day by day, more and more, into His timeless glory, until finally on the
night of Pascha, the uncreated Light shall break upon us to our great exultation and joy.
In addition, let us be aware, in all sobriety, that the vision of Isaiah also is a warning. For, at the end of this age, the Lord
shall execute judgment on all mankind, "all the earth shall be judged, and all flesh with His sword: many shall be slain by
the Lord. (vs. 16) and "their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched," (vs. 24). Brethren, let us cry, "Lord Have
Mercy!"
The Septuagint (LXX) reveals that the prophecy opens with a call to the People of God to assemble. The phrase is used:
"and all you that love her hold in her a general assembly" (vs. 10 LXX). As Father Schmemann taught: "Christ came to
'gather into one the children of God who were scattered abroad' (Jn. 11:52), and from the very beginning the eucharist was
a manifestation and realization of the unity of the new people of God, gathered by Christ and in Christ." As the Church, we
have fasted in Christ. Now, therefore, let us travel to Lazarus' tomb and enter Jerusalem to join the Lord in the Upper
Room, in Gethsemane, and at Golgotha. Now let us mourn that soon we may rejoice with the New Jerusalem, with our
Mother, the Church.
Indeed, let us come gladly to our Mother, for from her we shall receive the nurturing milk of eternity and shall delight in
"the abundance of her glory" (vs. 11). As the Apostle Paul said, "in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace" (Eph. 2:13,14). However, for while "the Lord shall be
known to them that fear Him...He shall threaten the disobedient" (Is. 66:14). Hence, let us come in pure repentance.
Heed the Prophet's warning: "For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and His chariots like the stormwind, to...execute
judgment, and by His sword, upon all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many" (vss. 15,16 RSV). Let us not be
counted among those "who sanctify and purify themselves" fraudulently while they "go into the gardens" to delight their
passions, follow the latest fads of self-indulgence, and eat the "swine's flesh" of immorality, for those who embrace
"abomination...shall come to an end together, says the Lord" (vs. 17 RSV).
When the Lord says, "they shall bring your brethren out of all nations for a gift to the Lord...to the holy city Jerusalem"
(vs.20), He is speaking of all the Apostolic laborers who are making "disciples of all nations" (Mt. 28:19). Let each one
acknowledge before the Lord that His commission is laid upon all of us in the Church, every one of us. We are to "bring
[our brethren as] sacrifices to [God] with psalms into the house of the Lord " (vs. 20). Today, overseas, in our own cities,
among our neighbors and friends, let the missionary work continue.
Beloved of the Lord, let us consider well the alternative the Lord sets before us in this reading. "The new heaven and the
new earth" shall remain (vs. 22). Let us labor for that which will endure and not be counted among them that have
"transgressed against" the Lord (vs. 24).
Grant us in this world the knowledge of Thy truth, and in the age to come, life everlasting.
