The Discovery of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs at Eugenius (345-408)
Jude 1-10; Luke 22:39-42; 22:45-23:1
Read Luke 22:39-42; 22:45-23:1
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today is Tuesday of Cheesefare Week, and we are less than a week away from beginning our journey through the Great Fast and Holy Week to Pascha. In the gospel reading, among other events leading to Christ’s crucifixion, we read the account of Jesus’ arrest. After Judas comes and betrays Jesus with a kiss, Christ’s disciples ask if they should defend Him with the sword. One of them struck the right ear of the slave of the high priest. Jesus condemned the violence, healed the slave, and then said to those who came to arrest Him: “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” (Lk. 22:52-53).
Darkness is a strong symbol. Children (and adults!) are often afraid of the dark because of the threat of unknown dangers that might be lurking. Darkness signifies a time for sleep and an end to the day’s activity because we can’t see without the light. Because darkness prevents people from seeing, it allows people an opportunity to commit all kinds of acts they wouldn’t want to do in the light of day for all to witness. Jesus comments that day after day He was teaching in the temple and could’ve been arrested, but His arrest instead happens under the cover of the darkness of night with swords and clubs as if He were a bandit. Christ’s teaching ministry was open and in the light; His arrest was shamefully hidden in the darkness. Peter betrayed Jesus three times before the cock crowed at dawn; his sorrow and repentance came with the light of the rising sun.
When Jesus was brought to council in the daytime, He was asked if He was the Messiah. As always, Jesus spoke the truth to them. They were enraged and sent Him to trial. Even though Jesus presented them with the truth in the light of day, the council was still shrouded in darkness. They refused to accept or understand Jesus’ words, and instead they were determined to bring Him to death. As we approach the start of the Great Fast, let us remember that we are children of the light. Consider the words of St. Paul:
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (1 Thess. 5:4-10)