DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. Matthew 24:36-26:2 (4/22) Gospel at Vespers & the
Pre-Sanctified for Great & Holy Tuesday
Watchfulness:
St. Matthew 24:36-26:2, especially vs.25:13: “Watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is
coming.” This long
selection from St. Matthew ends with the Lord Jesus’ announcing that in
two days “the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified” (vs.
26:2). To this the Lord adds an
end-point command summing up His Pre-Passion teaching:
“Watch.” Knowing He was
leaving His disciples, He also wants them and us to be ready for His return,
guard against The Thief, have their lamps filled with oil, attend to His
business, and take care of those in need whom He might place in their path.
The Lord Jesus’ message is explicit - as in the verse quoted above
at the start - but it is also implicit throughout the passage. In some instances, “watch”
can be rephrased as a command of a similar kind: “Be attentive” or
“Be prepared.” But
watchfulness, attentiveness, or readiness - however one names the mindset - is
to be the constant for, with His departure imminent, the subsequent return of
the Son of Man is to take central position in the awareness of any who called
themselves by His Name. We are to
be watchful unto the ages of ages, no exceptions.
First of all, Christ our God wants us to accept the uselessness of
trying to figure out when He will return.
“No one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father
only” (vs. 24:36). If we had
the date down as an exact appointment, we would be tempted like so many
students who wait until the last minute to cram for an exam or get a project
completed. Why would that be so
terrible? Because, knowing the date
would invite inattention, causing us to think like those in Noah’s day -
or those today - that “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage” are what are really important. Not so! Eternal life is primary!
Hence, a healthy dread of unpreparedness is essential. Certainly, Christ does not want you and
me to be evil servants and say, “My master is delaying his coming”
(vs. 24:48), and take up vicious habits.
If we should fall into that trap, as He reminds us, He will come and cut
us in two and appoint our portion with the hypocrites, with “weeping and
gnashing of teeth” (vs. 24:51).
Heed St. Isaac the Syrian: “Establish, O man, in your heart the
thought that instant departure confronts you, and constantly say to yourself:
‘There, already, at the door is the messenger come for me. Why am I idle? My removal is for ever; there will be no
return.’”
The choice that our Lord gives us is either to follow the diligent
example of the wise virgins or to be like the foolish ones (vss. 25:1-13). We are to garner blessed oil for the
return of the Bridegroom, to acquire the Holy Spirit within us to illumine us,
direct us, and strengthen us.
Listen to St. Seraphim of Sarov: “God’s all-saving will
consists in doing good solely to acquire the Holy Spirit, as an eternal,
inexhaustible treasure which cannot be rightly valued. The acquisition of the Holy Spirit is,
so to say, the oil which the foolish virgins lacked. They were called foolish just because
they had forgotten that necessary fruit of virtue, the grace of the Holy
Spirit, without which no one is or can be saved.”
What is to be done? Pray for
the Spirit to come and dwell in you to help you invest the talent that you have
and not bury it (vss. 25:14-30).
Never think that you have too little! That is a deception of the enemy. And, where should we invest our
talents? Let the Spirit lead you to
those in need, for “all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He
will separate them...”(vs. 25:32).
You and I shall be judged for our mercy. Never doubt! How wonderful to hear Him say,
“...Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least
of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (vs. 25:34,40).
O Christ the Bridegroom, number us with the wise virgins and have mercy
upon us.