Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Christ is Risen!
The Leave-Taking of Pascha
2nd Vespers of Ascension: Is. 62:10-63:9 Apostle: Acts 18:22-28 Gospel: St. John 12:36-47
Isaiah 62:10-63:9 LXX, especially vss 1, 2: "Who is this that is come from Edom, with red
garments from Bozrah? Thus fair in His apparel, with mighty strength? I speak of righteousness and saving judgment.
Wherefore are Your garments red, and your raiment as if fresh from a trodden winepress?" How the hosts of heaven
wondered when God the Son, the Eternal Word of the Father, descended from His heavenly throne, made Himself of no
reputation, and came in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7)! St. John of Damascus gave form to the angels' perplexity at the
Lord's Incarnation by putting the unspoken thoughts of the Archangel Gabriel into words: "How is it that He Who is in the
highest and incomprehensible shall be born of a Virgin? He Whose throne is heaven, and the earth His footstool, how shall
He be contained in a woman's womb? How was He pleased to be Incarnate of her by a word only, He Whom the six-winged ones and those of many eyes cannot gaze upon?"
Similarly, the Lord's triumphant return on high presented another great marvel to men and angels: Christ seated human
nature eternally with the Father, forever joining mankind to the Godhead. The Lord Jesus returned to heaven, from which
He never was separated, coming as a mighty man, fair in appearance. The red garments which the Prophet mentions are the
clothing of flesh which the Lord still wears, having become man. Edom is referred to because in Hebrew Edom means
"red." The name was given to Esau and his descendants after him because of his impetuous sale of his birthright to his
younger and twin brother, Jacob, for a mere serving of red pottage (Gen 25:30). The image of garments stained red from
trampling in the winepress, recalls the Lord's defeat of the enemies of mankind on the Cross when He trampled down
death.
In this passage which we are considering for the Feast of the Ascension, the Prophet Isaiah unfolds a vivid portrait of the
returning "Warrior Savior" coming in triumph to His rightful heavenly throne. Isaiah's scriptural icon includes the Lord's
command on behalf of the Church - "make a way for My People" (vs. 10). The reading also includes the Lord's answers
(vss. 3-6) to the angelic pondering (vss. 1,2). Finally, it concludes with Isaiah's prophetic reflections on the Ascension
(vss. 7-9).
The Prophecy first reveals that the whole earthly ministry of the Lord, following upon His Incarnation from the Virgin, was
for the Church, "the daughter of Zion" (vs. 11) whom the Lord calls "My People" (vss. 10,8). He will permit no
obstruction to stand in our way to heaven (vs. 10). What He accomplished serves not only the people of ancient Israel, but
now functions as a standard to rally all other peoples (vs. 10), which is why He commissioned the Apostles to "disciple all
nations" when they went into the world (Mt. 28:19). The Church is called as a Holy People, "the redeemed of the Lord, a
city sought out, and not forsaken" (Is. 62:12).
In this Prophecy, the Lord Jesus Himself answers the ponderings of the Angels. Since no other man could redeem mankind
(vss. 3,5), He Himself "trampled on [Satan and his hosts] in [His] fury, and dashed them to pieces as earth, and brought
down their blood to the earth" (vs. 3).
Isaiah shares with us his personal awe at what the Lord reveals: "I remembered the mercy of the Lord, and praises of the
Lord in all things wherein He recompenses us" (vs. 7). Of course, the Faithful are not "rebellious" for they know that
Christ Himself is our "deliverance" (vs. 8). No Angel or Prophet saved us, but the Lord Himself because He loves us and
spares us (vs. 9). "He Himself redeemed [us], and took [us] up, and lifted [us] up all the days of old" (vs. 9).
O Thou Who fulfillest all, and didst appear of Thine own choice, and suffer in the flesh and didst rise from the dead, and
didst tread down death, ascending in glory, send us Thy Spirit.
