Wednesday, September 8, 2004
The Nativity of the Theotokos
3rd at Vespers, Nativity of Theotokos: Proverbs 9:1-11 Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel: St. Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
The Perfect Servant: 1-11, especially vs. 6: "Leave folly, that ye may reign for
ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge." The Church always has
understood that the Wisdom spoken of in this reading, Who sends forth "servants with a loud
proclamation" (vs. 3) is none other than Christ our King and our God. What often hides the
Lord's identity from the minds of some who read today's passage is that the pronouns referring to
Wisdom are feminine - "she, her, and herself." Hebrew and Greek speakers know that hokma or
sophia are feminine nouns, and they tend to read past the feminine gender of the nouns which
their languages require, attending strictly to the Person of Wisdom Who speaks in these verses.
The Prophet Solomon, under whose provision we have this passage, rightly perceived the
Divinity of the Person of Wisdom - feminine pronouns aside. Notice (in vss. 4-6) that Wisdom's
proclamation urges all who hear what His servants declare to leave folly and seek Wisdom that
they "may reign forever" (vs. 6). After all, only God Himself can make the offer of eternal life
and dominion. Thus, Solomon was not troubled by feminine pronouns for hokma or wisdom.
When the passage is read as Solomon intended, Christians perceive the house of Wisdom, built
with its seven pillars, to be the Body of Christ, whether referring to Wisdom Incarnate of the
Virgin or to Wisdom in His Body, the Church (vs. 1). The feast which Holy Wisdom spreads for
the Faithful (vs. 2) is His Eucharistic banquet. Wisdom's servants, whom He sends forth with His
proclamation (vs. 3), are "every righteous spirit made perfect in faith, especially our all-holy,
immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary." The Virgin
herself, we should note especially, is the perfect Servant, for she left folly, sought Wisdom in her
Son, and now reigns forever to make intercession for us before His throne (vs. 6).
In the concluding verses of this present passage (7-11), Wisdom briefs each servant of His who
would consider taking on the task of inviting mankind to His Eucharistic feast. Divine Wisdom
carefully warns each servant what awaits him or her as a herald of His proclamation. Dishonor,
disgrace, and hatred may be one's lot, when evil and ungodly men hear what Christ's servants
offer on His behalf. On the other hand, His servant may have the joy of seeing others grow in
wisdom and eagerly "receive more instruction" (vs. 9). For there will be those who will hear the
message of Wisdom's servants, and, having already attained a "fear of the Lord," will readily
receive "the counsel of the Saints,"and struggle to acquire a truly "sound mind" (vs. 10). Our
Lady, the most holy Theotokos, was born to serve Wisdom, both with the expectation of potential
scorn and of eager acceptance. Gross public opprobrium would certainly have been her lot had
not God intervened with Joseph, her Betrothed, "when she was found to be with child of the Holy
Spirit" (Mt. 1:18). However, Joseph "being a just man" and a good servant himself, and not
wanting "to make Mary a public example" (Mt. 1:19), when he was "aroused from sleep, did as
the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife and did not know her till she had
brought forth her first born" (Mt. 1:24, 25).
Mary, for her part, revealed that from the day of her miraculous birth to barren parents she was
ever the perfect servant of God. At the Archangel's announcement, she showed what a
unblemished handmaid of the Lord she was, for she accepted unquestioningly the prospect of the
Holy Spirit overshadowing her so that the "Holy One" might be born of her - "the Son of God"
(Lk. 1:35). Hence, after her Son's Ascension, she had years added to her life (Prov. 9:11).
In thy womb, O virgin Mother, thou didst hold the Holy Wisdom Whom all creation doth praise
and before Whom the celestials tremble. Wherefore, beseech Him to save our souls.
