By
St. Innocent (Borisov), Archbishop of Kherson.
One of the most significant
liturgical actions of the Great Fast takes place when, between the Old
Testament readings, the Royal Doors are suddenly opened, the serving
clergyman appears with a candle and censer and, making the sign of the cross
with them over those present, exclaims: The light of Christ enlightens
all! It is not surprising that all those present bow their head to the
ground at this moment, for the opening of the Royal Doors represents the
opening of the very heavens; the candle and censer signify the fullness of
the Holy Spirit; and the appearance of the serving clergyman is like the
appearance of an Angel from heaven. Who could be so arrogant as not to bow
down before these signs of the grace of God?
The Holy Church, however, seeks
from us at this instance not simply a bow of the head or a prostration
before the light of Christ. No, in the spiritual sense, it wants the
opposite: the bowing of our head before that light, the opening before it of
our entire essence, so that in this way we might be illumined with that
divine light from head to foot, be completely filled with it, and made
light-bearing, just as were the first Christians, about whom the Apostle
Paul writes that they shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:15).
In order better to enter the
Holy Church’s intention, let us look at the power and significance of the
words pronounced by the serving clergyman.
The light of Christ
enlightens all! These words suggest, firstly, the insufficiency in us
all of the true light. For, if we were light-filled in and of ourselves, we
would have no need for enlightenment. Truly, a person not illumined by the
Gospel is darkness, deep darkness, as St. Paul teaches. Those who are
illumined by the light of science and are called "enlightened" by people
would not immediately agree with this. This is because these people who have
studied the sciences, due to their hope in the scintillation that the
sciences pour upon them, rarely and insufficiently turn their attention to
the inner state of their spirit and heart, not seeing in what darkness their
soul and conscience are. If, however, they were to look deeply into the
quality of their knowledge and, on the other hand, would attentively delve
into the true needs of their soul, then they would soon begin to see that
the light borrowed from the sciences, no matter how great it might be, is
hardly enough to satisfy them; and that, in relation to some of the most
important things, the ignorance of which, one might say, makes one less than
human, they are as ignorant as the lowest commoner; therefore, exactly like
the commoner, they need to be enlightened from above.
The light of Christ
enlightens all! These words, secondly, suggest the fullness and
abundance for everyone of the light of Christ. Indeed, there is no
deficiency of it for anyone. It enlightens both the wisest, revealing to
them the mysteries of the Kingdom of God which no mind in and of itself can
open; and the most foolish, opening in them, instead of a natural intellect,
the eyes of the heart, with which they can see what is hidden from the wise
and knowledgeable of this world. It enlightens both the richest, teaching
them not to exalt in perishable goods, not to be rich in themselves but in
God, and to hide their treasure where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Mt 6:20); and the
poorest, showing them their riches inside themselves, which are more
valuable than the whole world, and teaching them to be poor not only in body
but also in spirit, in order to acquire the Kingdom. It enlightens also the
very highest ruler, reminding him that there is a Master over him Who
demands a strict accounting for every tear shed because of him; and the very
lowest servant, comforting him in the knowledge that no one can take away
from him his internal freedom of spirit and conscience, and that a virtuous
man in bonds is higher than the happiest person in the world and closer to
the Savior Who, being the Son of God, for our sake took on the appearance,
not of a king, but of a slave and servant of all. It enlightens elders,
revealing to them a life that does not age, calling them from earthly
wandering to a place where there is rest from every labor. It enlightens
youths, encouraging them to battle with the passions and lusts. It
enlightens infants, opening their lips to praise the Lord.
The light of Christ
enlightens all! Pronouncing these words through the mouth of its
servant, the Holy Church says, as it were: "Perhaps there are those who, due
to their lot at birth or the circumstances of life, being far from the light
of the sciences and earthly wisdom, blame their supposedly miserable
situation, thinking that they, having only their native wit, are not able,
like enlightened men, to achieve the aims of their existence, and must
forever remain behind them, not only in time, but even in eternity. May they
not vainly despair and lose courage! The One Who in the sensible world hung
the sun and moon in the heavens so they would illumine all equally, the same
One did not forget in the spiritual world also to pour out light for the
enlightenment of all without exception. Attending church, hearing the
Gospel, prophets, and apostles, no matter whether you are a farmer or
soldier, a child or an elder, a servant or a laborer, you will learn
everything that you need for your salvation, and to enter eternity, where we
all must go, prepared for your great calling."
The light of Christ
enlightens all! "Perhaps some," the Church says, as it were, "having
been filled with the light from the lamp of science and earthly wisdom,
imagine that they do not need any further enlightenment, that they know
everything that they need, and can calmly rest with their reserve of
knowledge. May they leave behind their dangerous prejudice until they have
studied the Gospel and the Cross of Christ, until they have properly
comprehended what the prophets and apostles say about man, until they know
that which is most essential! Only in the light of Christ can one see God,
oneself, and the world in their true appearance. Only according to the
indication of heavenly revelation can one find the path leading to eternal
life."
The light of Christ
enlightens all! "Therefore," it is as if the Church says, "each and
everyone needs to walk in the light and do deeds of the light. A poor pagan
can say that he did not know how to behave in the world, for he did not have
a Gospel in hand; but the Christian is without an excuse! The light of
Christ illumined everything for him, showing him his own poverty, and the
richness of God’s mercy towards him; our past condition in paradise, and the
future condition in the Heavenly Kingdom; the narrow path leading to eternal
life, and the broad path leading to perdition; the power of the cross of
Christ, and the necessity of bearing one’s own cross. Everything has been
illumined, opened, and shown to everyone forever! Therefore everyone must
walk in the light, avoid deeds of darkness, and not give themselves up to
sleep and carelessness."
This, my brothers, is the sense
of the sacred words: The light of Christ enlightens all! The Church
repeats them for both our instruction and our warning.
After this it is our task to
examine ourselves and discover in which light we are in life: that of Christ
or of someone else? Whatever light it is, if it is not of Christ, then for
our eternal salvation it is as good as darkness, and even sometimes worse
than darkness. For a man caught in the darkness at least either stops or
goes slowly groping his way, taking care, if he can, to step into the light.
But under a false light a person is calm, goes along without stopping,
allowing himself every kind of movement, changing paths and directions; and,
inasmuch as he is led by a false light, like a swimmer at sea, he is exposed
to inevitable dangers or goes somewhere from which there is no return. Is
this not the same as happens with many intelligent people who, placing their
hope in worldly wisdom, scorn the light of Christ? Where do they go, and
where do they lead those who follow them? They go and lead others to such an
abyss of impiety and vice that one glance into it fills with trembling the
heart that has not lost its human feeling.
Beware, my brothers, of this false light, which in our
times has especially begun to blind the eyes of many. Remember firmly that
Christ alone is our true light, which enlightens every man coming into the
world and going out of the world. If you meet a teacher, first try to learn
of what light he is. If the light is not of Christ, then no matter who he
is, block your ears and heart. For just as in the sensible world there is
one sun and no other light besides it, so too in the spiritual world there
is one true and life-giving light: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom
be glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Orthodoxheritage.org
0 comments:
Post a Comment