Great Monday
Matthew 21:18-43; Ezekiel 1:1-20; Exodus 1:1-20; Job 1:1-12; Matthew 24:3-35
Great Week. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read Matthew 24:3-35
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Strangely, it seems, the Church puts before us on this Bridegroom Monday the Lord’s discourse on the end of times. There will be false Messiah’s claiming to be the Anointed One, the Christ. Wars and rumours of war. Famines. Earthquakes. Tribulation. Betrayal. Hate. False Prophets. Being led astray. Wickedness. Love growing cold.
Our Lord tells His disciples that even though all this will happen they should not be alarmed. Indeed, in a way that is beyond their comprehension, these things MUST happen.
In very much the same way, as we behold the Bridegroom, who voluntarily lays down His life for His Bride (that’s us) to make her pure and holy and without blemish so that she may enjoy the good life that He has prepared for her, He will endure a great suffering in the garden, a betrayal, a mock trial, a belittling from a king, scourging, belittled as the King, cajoled while carrying the weapon of His impending death, meeting His mother in this state, nailed violently to the Tree, raised up for the world to see, crying out to His Father (and placing His trust in Him), completing the Sacrifice to complete all sacrifice, and death. Indeed, in a way that is beyond our comprehension, these things MUST happen.
Perhaps it is best that instead of trying to comprehend this Mystery, of trying to figure it out, we ought just be present to it. To stand at the Cross and be present, like the Most Holy Mother of God, to contemplate and receive it all and treasure it in our hearts, and be transformed by it.
Come, Lord Jesus!