DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

Thursday, January 18, 2007                           Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria

11th Vigil of Theophany: 3 Kings 18:30-39 LXX (1 Kngs MT)

Epistle: Hebrews 13:7-16                                                                   Gospel: St. Matthew 5:14-19

 

Types of Baptism ~ The Fire of the Lord: 3 Kings 18:30-39 LXX, especially vs. 37: “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, and let this people know that Thou art the Lord God, and Thou hast turned back the heart of this people.”  In the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and of Penance, the aim is, as Elijah pleads, that God would turn our hearts back to Himself, restoring us, in the depths of our being, to a wholesome relationship with Himself.  Our need in approaching the Mysteries is cleansing - not simply from the stains of obvious, sinful actions, but also from deep, subtle, hidden idolatry, dark attitudes that lurk in our hearts and minds, passions that cling, and unapparent vanity, pride, and self-will.  Oh, that God would turn our hearts back!

Hence, in reading this passage, let us seek, in the description of Elijah’s offering before the assembly of Israel, those life-giving elements that are able to guide us in restoration to God: the necessity to come near to the Holy Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Righteous Souls with whom we are united in the Church (vs. 30), to offer ourselves without reservation along with God’s People (vss. 31-33), and to hold back nothing but to surrender all (vss. 34-36).

The prophets of Baal failed to gain a response from their idol: “there was no voice; no one answered, no one heeded” (3 Kngs 18:29).  Of course there was no response, because Baal was a figment of spiritual delusion.  Thus Elijah called the people to himself, even as he calls us from idolatry: “Come near to me” (1 Kngs 18:30).  His is the message of all the righteous ones who have preceded us in Faith.  Orthodox Tradition brings us very close to the Saints - in the Holy Icons, the Holy Scriptures, the Divine Liturgy, and all the treasures of the Holy Fathers.

These Great Ones are very close to us.  We might say, “Just an intercession away” - close, indeed.  They pray for us now, for our healing and restoration, that our hearts be open to God so that He may turn us back to Himself (vs. 37).  As the Apostle Paul told the Christians at Thessalonica, “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you...the Gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:8).  So let us not neglect their call upon our hearts - never!

Observe that Elijah built an altar with twelve stones “according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, ‘Israel shall be your name’” (1 Kngs 18:31).  His offering was for the entire People of God.  In preparing the offering at the Divine Liturgy, the Priest similarly includes the whole of the Church in the manner of Elijah: the Theotokos, the bodiless Powers, the Prophets - yes, Elijah is specifically named - the Apostles, the great Hierarchs, martyrs, ascetics, unmercenaries, and all the members of the Church living and in repose that God may “have mercy on us and on [His} world, and save our souls.”  As the Holy Gifts are borne to the Throne, let us not fail to offer ourselves completely to our God: “all that I am, and all that I have, I offer unto Thee, O Lord.”

Here is the issue: the offering of ourselves without restraint or reservation - totally.  The entire carcass of the bull was placed on the wood and then completely consumed in a flaming holocaust (vs. 33).  The offering was drenched with water so there would be no doubt that God alone accepted it despite the soaking.  That drenched offering is akin to those parts of ourselves which we are unable to offer through ignorance and weakness.  God knows our seriousness; and He will receive what we offer, as long as our hearts yearn truly to join in Elijah’s prayer - that God turn back our hearts to Himself (vs. 37).  Remember, Christ the Lord presented the only One True Offering.  Any feeble, earthbound offering we make always is “Thine own of Thine own.”

Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, bless our offerings and receive them upon Thine altar above the heavens, remembering and preserving us blameless in Thy Holy Mysteries.

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