DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
2 Corinthians
5:1-10
(11/7)
Epistle for Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week after Pentecost
The Resurrection Body: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, especially
vs. 1: “For we know that if
our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” In
the Funeral Service, Saint John of Damascus bids us reflect on the mystery of
death, the stark destiny confronting all men: while each of us is
“...fashioned after the image of God...,” yet too soon all shall
lie “...in the tomb, disfigured, dishonored, bereft of form, O
marvel! What is this mystery which doth
befall us? Why have we been given
over unto corruption, and why have we been wedded unto death? Truly...,” Saint John, declares, “...as it is written, by the command of
God.” In Holy Scripture, God
plainly states that all of us, children of Adam, having chosen to transgress
God’s commandment shall die.
“For which cause, O Lord, Thou didst condemn [us] to return again
unto the earth whence [we were] taken....”
Yes, but the Church reminds us that “...the Saints
have found the Fountain of Life....”
Read again Saint Paul’s
words in the opening quote: “...we have a building from God...eternal in
the heavens.” Each of us who
call ourselves Christians, like Saint
Paul, walk “...by faith, not by sight”
(vs. 7), knowing that our present house will be destroyed, and yet we
remain confident of a building from God (vs. 1). Study what gives the Apostle such great
confidence.
First, understand that the earthly house (vs. 1) to
which the Apostle refers is our physical body, our form drawn from the elements
of this earth. Saint
Paul likens the body to the tent or Tabernacle that God commanded
Moses and the people of Israel
to make for use during their nomadic years: a sanctuary for worship where He
“...will appear among you” (Ex. 25:8).
Saint Paul deliberately chooses this image to remind us of two
things: 1) that our mortal bodies are temporary and easily destroyed
(vs. 1), and 2) that along the way in this life our bodies may be indwelt by
God the Holy Spirit (vs. 5).
Further, the Apostle contrasts his first image of a tent with a building
that is eternal in the heavens (vs. 1). The body in the heavens is a work
of God as is our present, earthly body.
The earthly body, in which death already is at work, causes us to groan
(vs. 2). Our present aches and
pains are advanced experiences of the disfigurement, dishonoring, and death
that will come, but now leave us groaning in this earthly house.
Saint Paul also employs the imagery of clothing: as this body will be
put off like old, soiled clothes, even so God has provided an eternal body,
which is to be put on.
Further, we know something of heavenly bodies from the accounts of
Christ’s Resurrection appearances, which cause us to desire “...to
be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven...” (vs. 2).
Note the Apostle’s next remark: “...if indeed,
having been clothed, we shall not be found naked” (vs. 3). God intends that all who have united
themselves to Christ Jesus in the Mystery of Baptism should have their
mortality “...swallowed up by life” (vs. 4). Then, of course, all shall have to
“...appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive the things done in the body...” (vs.
10). Therefore, the
certainty of being clothed with a heavenly body remains subject to Christ. But, be encouraged. We know God’s compassionate
intentions and His mercy.
God has even given us a guarantee - the amazing,
present activity of God the Holy Spirit within (vs. 5). Earlier, Saint Paul spoke of our earthly form as a tent
(vs. 1), reminding us that our physical bodies are meant to be dwelling places
for God. Now he mentions the Spirit
of God - the intended Divine occupant.
Paul says:“Therefore
we make it our aim...to be well pleasing to Him” (vs. 9). The Spirit is God’s gift even now,
so that after the judgment we may not fail to be clothed in our heavenly body. Trust the Spirit, and always walk with
Him in faith!
Grant us, O Lord, a good defense
before Thy fearful Judgment Seat, O Christ.
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