Friday, February 11, 2005 Fast Day
Hieromartyr Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 4:1-11 Epistle: 1 Peter 1:1-2, 10-12; 2:6-10 Gospel: St. Mark 12:1-12
St. Mark 12:1-12, especially vs. 9: "...the owner of the vineyard...will come and destroy the vinedressers,
and give the vineyard to others." This parable is a prophecy from the mouth of the Son of God, the One sent to win "the
respect" of the ancient People of God, Whom their "chief priests...scribes, and...elders" (Mk. 11:27) "took...and killed...and
cast...out of the vineyard" (Mk. 12:8). Thereafter, as Blessed Theophylact observes: the Lord gave "His people to other
husbandmen, that is, to the Apostles." Thus, the People of God have continued to bear fruit to Him, "the sacrifice of
praise...that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name" (Heb. 13:15). Furthermore, having the example of ancient
Israel, we know that God does not change. Therefore, anyone who does not abide in Him, "is cast out as a branch and is
withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn. 15:6).
Because sin, with its alluring attractions, is all around us, we rarely look ahead to the consequences of failing to "abide in
Him." We readily miss the point that our "petty" resistance to "paying our dues" simply deepens and widens the gulf
between us and the Giver of Life. We read of Adam and Eve, fail to see how rapidly death and troubles follow the
departure from Life, and still wonder: "It was only a tiny bite of forbidden fruit. What was the real harm?" However,
Paradise was taken away and foul murder still prevails (Gen. 4:8). We need only look at the 20th Century, the century of
death now past, in order to see a small sample of mankind's sordid record: mass executions, genocide, firestorms
consuming whole cities - sheer terror.
Beloved, we are so close to Life! We are united to Him in Holy Baptism, sealed with the gift of His Spirit, partakers of His
Life-bearing Body and Blood. "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of
Him Who works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). Let us not squander the Vineyard that He
gives us. Rather let us render to our Lord and God "some of the fruit of the vineyard" (Mk. 12:2).
First, let us honor the servants whom the Lord sends to us, our Pastors and Bishops. Let us kiss their hands and set before
their eyes fruits of honest struggle and labor in the Lord's Vineyard. What are those fruits? Our God loves truth and is
ready to make us whiter than snow and turn His face away from our sins if we will but simply offer Him "a broken spirit, a
heart that is broken and humbled" (Ps. 50:17 LXX). Listen to St. Makarios of Egypt: "Being bountiful and full of love,
God awaits with great patience the repentance of every sinner. How He celebrates the return of the sinner with celestial
rejoicing, as He Himself says, 'There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents' (Lk. 15:7,10)!"
Next, let us note every subtle movement in our heart as we refuse God, resist Him, or feel condemned by Him. Further, let
us learn from Archimandrite Sophrony: "At first I was all bitter shame for my mad pride....Shame led to abject self-condemnation. Then joy took over - not only had the Lord not condemned me for my audacity, but He even poured rich
blessing on my head." Beloved, He brings us from "non-existence into being, and when we had fallen away didst raise us
up again, and didst not cease to do all things until [He] hadst brought us back to heaven."
Therefore, when the Son comes to us in His Holy Mysteries and looks for our respect, when He comes to us in the garb of
the poor, let us look at all that He has given us. What else may we offer but thanksgiving to the Life-Giver? "We praise
Thee, we bless Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, and we pray unto Thee, O our God."
"Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling. Lay hold of instruction [for] blessed are all that have put
their trust in Him." (Ps. 2:11,12,13 LXX)
