Friday, December 10, 2004 Nativity Fast
Angelina of Albania, Mother of Blessed John
Kellia: 2 Samuel 6:1-15 MT (2 Kings 6:1-15 LXX) Epistle: Titus 1:15-2:10 Gospel: St. Luke 20:19-26
2 Samuel 6:1-15, especially vs. 7: "And the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Uzzah; and God smote him there because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of
God." In the Divine Liturgy, at the conclusion of the Prayer of the Anaphora, after the offering of the Lord's Prayer, "the
Priest takes up the Lamb (the holy Bread) in both hands and makes therewith the sign of the cross over the diskos, saying,
'The Holy Things are for the holy,'" to which the choir and people respond, "One is Holy, One is Lord: Jesus Christ, to the
glory of God the Father. Amen." In these liturgical statements, holiness is understood to pertain to the "Lamb, the holy
Bread," to the holy People of God for whom the gifts are intended, but supremely and uniquely to the One Who alone is
Holy, the "Lord Jesus Christ." The hymn is quite explicit in asserting that "One is Holy, One is Lord," implying that all
else that is called "holy" derives its holiness from God Who alone is truly Holy.
For the ancient People of God, the holy presence of God was closely associated with the ark of the covenant, a rectangular
box made of acacia wood, all overlaid with gold, in which was kept the two tablets on which the Lord had inscribed the
Ten Words (or Commandments, Ex. 25:22), the pot with a bit of manna in it and Aaron's rod (Heb. 9:4-5). This chest and
its contents served as the unique, visible sign of the presence of the invisible God among His People.
In recognition of the holiness of God, the ark itself was treated with particular reverence. This "holiness" of the ark was
symbolized by its placement within the national center of worship. Overall, the plan for the tabernacle provided a large
area where the people could gather for worship, and a "holy place" for the priests in which they conducted the worship.
The "holy place" was equipped with an altar, tables and other furnishings. In addition, screened off from the holy place by
a heavy veil, there was a small room called "the holy of holies," or "the most holy place." This inner sanctum was reserved
just for the ark which resided on a special table. The ark's holiness was demonstrated when the People crossed the Jordan
to enter the Holy Land for the first time (Josh. 3:14-17). Afterwards, it was kept at the national shrine at Shiloh until God
allowed it to be captured by the Philistines, "because of the wickedness of [the] People of Israel" (Jer. 7:12). However, the
Philistines became "terrified and afflicted" by having the ark among them (1 Sam 5:6). They hastened to send it back to
Israel in a cart drawn by milk cows (1 Sam. 6:10-12). After seventy men were slain at Beth-shemesh by the Lord "because
they looked into the ark" (1 Sam. 6:19), it was removed to Kiriath-jerarim "to the house of Abinadab" (1 Sam 7:1). It
remained there until King David determined to move it to his capital.
Capturing the ark, peering into it, or touching it inappropriately were acts fraught with dangerous consequences. The point
is: among the People of God, all holy things should be treated with very great respect. Hence in Orthodoxy, icons,
Scriptures, vestments, and above all, the Holy Gifts of the Lord's Body and Blood are touched only in ways that display
respect, are appointed, and honor the Presence of God Who is known in and through these created things. Beloved of the
Lord, let these accounts of the touching of the ark remind us to approach everything associated with the presence of the
Lord with the "honor...due unto His Name" (Ps. 95:8 LXX). Let us extend every reverence toward our marriages, all
persons who are Baptized into Christ, our church buildings, ordained persons and sacred furnishings, for "Christ is in our
midst!" "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory" (Is. 6:3).
Holy is the Lord our God. Holy is the Lord our God. Holy is the Lord our God. Exalt ye the Lord our God and worship at
His footstool, for He is holy.
