The Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Lawrence. Post-feast of the Transfiguration.
Dormition Fast.
2 Corinthians 5:10-15; Mark 1:9-15.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:10-15
In today’s epistle reading we hear, “…the love of Christ controls (συνέχω / synechō) us, because we are convinced…he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor 5:14-15).
When St. Paul speaks here about the compelling or controlling effect of the love of Christ, the word he uses is συνέχω / synechō. This term has the connotation of being one pulled in a specific direction against another deep seated desire. For example, St. Paul uses the same term in his letter to the Phillipians when he says: “I am hard pressed (συνέχω) between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Phil 1:23-24)
As we reflect on today’s reading, we can think about the two directions we are pulled in as the desire to live for ourselves, and the desire to live for Christ and for others. Often the former can feel more “natural” to us. It is easier and more comfortable for us to do what we want than to to serve the needs of others. St. Paul relates the struggle in his letter to the Romans, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.” (Rom. 7:19–20)
It is love, primarily the love of Christ, that moderates our selfish desire and enables us to be free from being controlled by the passions. The point for us to reflect on is whether we truly love in name or in actuality – as St. Paul points out, there are those “those who pride themselves on a man’s position and not on his heart” (2 Cor 5:12).
We have to work to nurture the love of Christ in our souls, just like we have to work on any human relationship. When we put our spouse, our children, or friends before ourselves, these loving actions have a compelling function. They help us become free to be what we truly are, and are called to be: husband, wife, mother, father, friend, Christian. What we are is known to God. (2 Cor 5:11).
So today, let us pray with St. Isaac the Syrian: Make me worthy, O Lord, to know and love You, account me worthy to be lifted above my will’s wandering eye, and to behold You in the constraint of the Cross’s bond. Implant in my heart an increase of Thy love, that it may be drawn back from this world by fervent love for Thee.