DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Nativity Fast
1 Vespers Holy Monastic: Wisdom 3:1-9 Epistle:
2 Timothy 4:9-22 Gospel:
St. Luke 21:5-7, 10-11, 20-24
The Saints’ Appearance: Wisdom 3:1-9 LXX,
especially vs. 7:“And in the
time of their visitation they shall shine and run to and fro like sparks among
the stubble.” Those glorified ones who now shine forth
from the
Outwardly, the lives of the Saints appeared to
be wasted and frivolous to their torturers and scoffers; but in truth their
hearts and souls remained firmly “in the hand of God” (vs. 1). As a result, no torment ever touched
them. It was only “in the
sight of the unwise [that] they seemed to die; and their departure...taken for
misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction” (vss. 2-3). In
the words of the Church, the Saints burned with the Lord’s love: consumed
the dried grass of arrogant error; “bridled the mouths of beasts with
their own befitting supplications; and, being beheaded, they themselves
beheaded all the hosts of the enemy.” In truth, their lives reveal how the
present existence is nothing but smoke and vapor although it seems solid to the
earthly minded. “For though
[the Saints] be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of
immortality” (vs. 4). Be not
deceived, but let us praise Christ’s victors!
Of eternal moment is the manner in which the
Saints appear to God. Behold, He
sees them as His own sons and daughters.
For, like a good Father, He “chastised [a little that] they shall
be greatly rewarded” (vs. 5).
Having learned this path from the Eternal Son and Word of God Who “Himself
has suffered” and struggled with temptation as a man (Heb. 2:18), they
became pillars “of the Church and the fulfillment of the
Gospel.” Often, ore dug from
the earth appears to have little worth.
Actually, however, after that which seemed unattractive is smelted, the
metal and the dross separate, allowing, for instance, pure gold to appear -
thus it is with the Saints as the Scriptures teach us (
The appearance of the Saints is known to the
Faithful only in stages. First, we
read the accounts of their lives or marvel today at their endurance. Study and observation of their feats of
asceticism, martyrdom, and diligence nourishes “the perfection of
believers.” Some of the
Saints, in their struggles, have even “dazzled the incorporals.” Second, after their departure for the
heavenly Kingdom, their miracles and aids for their brethren still on earth act
like the pre-dawn light of the sun that later will blaze and illumine
everything. Oh, yes, when the Lord
returns, they will sit as judges over the nations and peoples in the
Consider Nicholas of
To Thee, O Lord, the universe offereth as first-fruits the divinity-bearing Martyrs.
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