Thursday, September 16, 2004
The Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised
Kellia: Jeremiah 7:21-29 Epistle: Ephesians 1:1-9 Gospel: St. Mark 7:24-30
Jeremiah 7:21-29, especially vs. 23: "But this
command I gave them, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people; and
walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' But they did not obey...."
Consider the following wise testimony concerning obedience from St. John of the Ladder:
"Obedience is absolute renunciation of our own life, clearly expressed in our bodily actions....
Obedience is unquestioning movement, voluntary death, a life free of curiosity, carefree danger,
unprepared defense before God, fearlessness of death, a safe voyage, a sleeper's progress.
Obedience is the tomb of the will and the resurrection of humility."
If we consider St. John's counsel along side God's judgment concerning the disobedience of His
ancient people, it is evident that they would not renounce their wills, act as He directed them
without question, mortify their personal desires, place their individual wills in the tomb of
submission to their Father in heaven, nor be raised from that "tomb" in glad humility. As a
result, God let them go, handed them over to wrath (vs. 29). What the Lord revealed to Jeremiah
is sobering for any serious Christian, and helpful at the same time; for God discloses herein ten
marks of true obedience which can guide us in "a safe voyage" to our true home.
"Walk in all the way that I command you" (vs. 23). Whether the renunciation of one's will is
"absolute" is "clearly expressed in bodily actions." The Hebrew idiom for bodily actions is
"walking," walking in the path delineated by God versus walking on the path of our own desires
and wants. A careful, illumined observer soon knows which path a person is following.
"Incline the ear" (vs. 24). "The ear of the heart" must be attuned to the voice of the Lord,
constantly bent to detect what the Lord is saying, choice by choice, step by step.
"Walk in God's counsels," rather than in one's "own counsels" (vs. 24). It is necessary to admit
God to the inner conversation we carry on inside, and to let His voice prevail.
"Repent," rather than plunge on ahead in "the stubbornness of [our] evil hearts" (vs. 24).
Obstinate reactions to God's leading are like out-of-control children running pell-mell through a
store beyond parental control, "getting into" everything. To repent is to turn back.
"Purify the heart," rather than let it continue to be evil (vs. 24). Notice how mortifying personal
desire accomplishes this counsel. The pure heart invariably turns in a godly direction.
"Go forward," not backward (vs. 24). Relationship with God is progress, movement toward
"godliness," which the Apostle teaches us to "pursue" (1 Tim. 6:11). To go backward from
godliness, as Isaiah warns, is to "be broken and snared and caught" (Is. 28:13).
"Meekly bow and do not stiffen the neck" (Jer. 7:26). The Hebrew idioms pertaining to the neck
provide clear images of obedience and disobedience. In every Orthodox service there is a
"bowing" prayer. The one at Vespers speaks of God "bowing the heavens and coming down for
the salvation of mankind" and entreats His mercy on them that incline their necks to Him.
"Accept discipline," (vs. 28) and do not disobey nor resist. What can come to us in life that we
do not deserve? Only in human terms is life "unfair." As the Apostle teaches, "whom the LORD
loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives" (Heb. 12:6).
Let truth flourish and not perish nor be "cut off from [our] lips" (Jer. 7:28). St. Paul has
admonished us: "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one
another" (Eph. 4:25). Obedience before God never lies to one's self nor to others.
In the night season our soul awaketh early unto Thee, O God, for Thy precepts are a light. Teach
us Thy righteousness, Thy commandments and Thy statutes, O Master.
