Pre-feast of Theophany; Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles; Our Venerable Father Theoctistus, Hegumen of the Cucomo Monastery in Sicily
Hebrews 4:1-13; Luke 21:12-19
Read Luke 21:12-19
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Today we continue our preparation for the Feast of the Theophany. On this feast, we remember the manifestation of the Holy Trinity when Jesus was baptized at the hands of St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. John the Baptist is the last and greatest prophet, bridging the gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Testifying to John’s greatness, Jesus tells us: Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Mt. 11:11). John the Baptist’s prophetic mission was one of preparation. He announced the coming of the Messiah and exhorted people to prepare for the coming kingdom: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near (Mt. 3:2). The Gospel of Mark introduces John the Baptist after quoting from the prophet Isaiah, emphasizing John’s mission of preparation: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mk. 1:2-3).
Physical death is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Let us recall Jesus’ words: Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Mt. 10:28). Today’s gospel reading speaks of the persecutions that Christians will endure, and we know that John the Baptist was not exempted from suffering persecution in spite of being the “greatest.” He is an example of someone who was arrested, imprisoned, and ultimately beheaded for testifying to the truth. Let us reflect on his example and his unwavering faith. Although he was martyred, he had no reason to fear his executioners because his soul could not be slain. Today, let us spiritually prepare ourselves not only to celebrate the upcoming Feast of the Theophany but also prepare ourselves to enter the kingdom of heaven. Have we turned away from our sinful way of living? Do we fear physical death more than we fear the death of our soul? Do we remember that God is always present and in control and that He is especially with us during times of persecution?