Sunday, February 6, 2005 Tone 3
Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 1:1-20 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Gospel: St. Matthew 25:14-20
St. Matthew 25: 14-30, especially vs. 21: "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful
servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'" A
profound truth is proclaimed in this verse: God Himself has and knows joy. St. Luke's Gospel reports the same, when the
Lord Jesus declares: "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over
ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Lk. 15:7). God not only has and knows joy, but He also invites
certain of His servants to "enter into His joy." Hence, the Lord Jesus prayed to the Father that His Disciples might "have
[His] joy fulfilled in themselves," as well as in "those who believe in [Him] through their word" (Jn. 17:13,20).
What is it that gives joy to God, and what is the nature of the Divine joy which He extends to His "good and faithful
servants," allowing them to "enter into" that joy? If earthly, human joy is inducement to cry aloud and chant (Ps. 64:14
LXX), how does joy come into the hearts and voices of those Saints to whom God says, "Enter into the joy of your Lord!"?
It is man's salvation that gives God joy, as the Evangelist Luke suggests: "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents" (Lk. 15:10). It is said of the Lord Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, that "for the joy
that was set before Him [He] endured the Cross, despising the shame," that He might sit "down at the right hand of the
throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). Think what is implied in those words: the salvation of mankind enabled the Lord Jesus to look
beyond the pain and suffering He was to endure in His humanity, beyond the agony of the Passion, and to see joy "before
Him" both in time and in eternity, a joy illumined by the clear and victorious light of the Resurrection.
Sad to say, the joy of the Lord is not for all. There are those who bury the treasures of God in the earth, who, in the words
of St. Leo the Great, "occupy the intelligence God gives us in purely earthly matters, not to seek spiritual profit, never to lift
our heart above worldly considerations." The Lord is very clear about such failure: "If you keep My commandments, you
will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to
you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (Jn. 15:10-11). It is quite simple. As we receive the
gift of God by which we may benefit others, we are to use it. If one does not put the gift of God to use, in St. Theophylact's
words, "God takes the gift away from that wicked and slothful servant...and...[he] forfeits the gift itself." While entering
the joy of the Lord is not for all, it most definitely is for some, perhaps even for many, yet entrance is only by Divine
invitation. God alone has the power to extend the invitation, "Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Mt. 25:21,23).
Nevertheless, we have a clear indication from Him just what His criteria are for summoning men and women into His joy.
He extends His call precisely to those servants whom He deems "good and faithful" (vss. 21,23). In addition, His
conditions are laid down plainly throughout Scripture. For instance, the Prophet Zephaniah (i.e., Sophonias) announces
that now, at this moment, the Lord is saying to us: "let not thy hands be slack. The Lord thy God is in thee; the Mighty One
shall save thee: He shall bring joy upon thee, and shall refresh thee with His love" (Soph. 3:16,17 LXX).
Let us work with the Spirit of God that we may bring forth His fruits of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control" (Gal. 5:22,23).
Assist us, O Lord, that we may accomplish the work to which Thou dost call us, acting in faithfulness and diligence
according to Thy will for the benefit of others and to Thy great glory.
