Saturday, February 19, 2005
The Venerable Martyr Philothea of Athens
Kellia: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 10:1-16 Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:11-19 Gospel: St. Luke 18:2-8
St. Luke 18:2-8, especially vs. 3, "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,
'Get justice for me from my adversary.'" St. Cyril of Alexandria, in commenting on the Lord Jesus' parable of the unjust
judge, challenges all Christians to "examine who it is that offends against them." It is an intriguing question for the Faithful
in Christ to explore in this advanced age. The Patriarch identifies a number of adversaries who troubled the "holy
ministers, teachers....and servants" of the Lord during the fifth century: heretics, those who "smite and scorn us,
even...inflict violence upon us," those who "make merchandise of the word of uprightness and prevail on many to abandon
a sound faith, involving them in inventions of devilish error,"and those who fiercely resist "those who would live well: who
cast into the pitfalls of wickedness whoever slumbers; who plant in us the seeds of every sin."
It does not take much "reading between the lines" to see that we have the same sorts of adversaries today as existed in fifth
century Alexandria. Our present ones function under different banners and with names unknown in St. Cyril's generation,
but they are active to draw away the unwary from the Gospel of life and truth. To the few heretics of St. Cyril's day, let us
point today to a horde of sectarians, self-appointed theologians and experts in matters of faith. Many of these hold forth in
so-called seminaries and universities holding impressive degrees and credentials. There are those today who openly vow to
smite and inflict violence upon us and are diligently seeking ways to do so. The media are filled with a rising tide of those
who hawk religion to the unwary. And who can even begin to account for the numerous purveyors of moral corruption that
are seeking to convince the innocent that evil is good and good evil? Pray for us Holy Father Cyril that Christ will find
abiding faith among His People in this generation!
Notice our Lord's warning at the conclusion of the parable: "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge
His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?" (vss. 6,7). Christ calls our attention to
the fact that, in time, the persistence of the importunate widow broke through the judge's self-interest, so that he granted
her a settlement against her adversary. Are we to identify God with the judge? Not at all! Rather, let us draw the point the
Lord is trying to reveal: that if a wicked, self-serving, callous human judge can respond to persistent pleas - no matter his
motivation - then be assured that the compassionate, caring, loving God will most definitely "avenge His own elect who cry
out day and night to Him" (vs. 7). That is the exact point where story joins genuine, unremitting prayer.
Hence, the issue for us as Christians is maintaining persistent prayer - shall we be found standing before God unwavering in
prayer for justice before our adversaries (1 Thess. 5:17)? And what keeps us steady at prayer? Principally, it is faith. So
the final question is put to us: "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (vs. 8). Father
Matthew the Poor observes: "Faith and will are intimately related, distinct but indivisible. In meeting the paralytic (Jn.
5:6): "Do you want to be healed?" Christ stressed the primacy of will or desire in faith. It is only when we will something
that we can be counted worthy of God's response." Still, take the Lord's warning into consideration - God sometimes
"bears long" with us, seems to delay. Yet, as St. John of the Ladder assures us: "Do not say, after spending a long time at
prayer, that nothing has been gained; for you have already gained something. What higher good is there than to cling to the
Lord and persevere in unceasing union with Him?"
Accept the prayer of us sinners and make us worthy to find grace in Thy sight, that our prayers may be acceptable unto
Thee, and the good Spirit of Thy grace may dwell upon us.
