Wed., Nov. 3, 2004
Dedication of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Lydda
Kellia: Judges 16:15-31 Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Gospel: St. Luke 11:9-13
Judges 16:15-31, especially vs. 17: "And he told her all his
mind, and said to her, 'A razor has never come upon my head; for I have been a Nazirite to God
from my mother's womb. If I be shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak,
and be like any other man.'" As Holy Communion approaches in the Divine Liturgy, each one
who anticipates receiving the Holy Gifts entreats the Lord, "accept me today as a communicant:
for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss as did Judas:
but like the thief will I confess Thee." In partaking of the Holy Gifts, each Christian comes face
to face with the inexpressible Persons of the all Holy Trinity.
Many may seek to verbalize this encounter, but how can anyone adequately begin to state what
the Lord gives and shares through the wonder of His Body and Blood? Who is able to do justice
to the reality of the Sacramental Mystery, of the Holy Meeting with Life Himself? Paltry,
fumbling, human words do not suffice. When one meets the Word Who is the source of all
words, there is nothing to say except, "I will not speak of Thy Mystery, O Son of God."
Standing in silence before Him speaks the truth of the One Who comes in the Holy Gifts far
better than many, many words. The Communion Hymn of Great and Holy Thursday points
toward the silence-creating essence of a relationship with the living God: "Let all mortal flesh
keep silence and in fear and trembling stand." Similarly, how could a man who was "a Nazirite
to God from [his] mother's womb" (vs. 17) explain the mystery of his being and calling from
God? With what words would he begin to "make sense" of the unfathomable spiritual mantle
laid upon his shoulders, and especially to one outside the Faith?
Still, since Delilah would not be deflected from her questions, all Samson could think to do in
response to her persistent demands to understand his "great strength" was to quote the Mosaic
Law and to expound from it the basis of his supernatural powers (vs. 17). As we read the
exchange between these mismatched lovers, we learn the reason for her insistence: there were
many hundreds of "pieces of silver" for her in obtaining the right answer (Jdgs. 16:5). She was a
committed collaborator, an enemy of the Lord. The hapless Samson, however, was "in love"
(Jdgs. 16:4), truly captivated by his passion, a fascination that left him entirely vulnerable to
Delilah's charm and manipulation. And see how she used his avowed love for her (Jdgs. 16:15).
Thus Samson was captured, having "become weak...like any other man" (vs. 17). The savagery
of the Philistines in blinding Samson ironically ended forever his weakness for "seeing"
Philistine women, and becoming infatuated. One look and, instead of seeing that they were
enemies of the Lord, he repeatedly was trapped by their outward appearance. The treachery of
Delilah actually turned into a blessing, in one sense, for it opened Samson's spiritual eyes.
Read Samson's final prayer carefully. Like the prayer before Communion, he asked the Lord,
"Remember me" (vs. 28). At last, thrust into physical darkness, he saw an opportunity to carry
out the will of God for his life. He had no fear in this, for at last he had plumbed the depths of
God's purpose for himself, a purpose from which he had too long been diverted by earthly beauty
and charm. But no more! "And Samson prayed, 'Let me die with the Philistines'" (vs. 30). In
pulling down the temple of Dagon, he carried out the Lord's judgment against the people of
Philistia, and, thereby, became numbered among the judges of Israel. And so "his family came
down and took him and brought him up and buried him" with his forebears (vs. 31).
Remove far from us our delusions, O Lord, and fill us with the faith, hope and love that are in
Thee, and enable us to fulfill those things which are well pleasing unto Thee.
