Беседа 8

Spoken to the people in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Day of the Nativity of the Lord. Reading the Holy Gospel: Luke 2.1–14. Luke 2.1–14. In those days, Caesar Augustus issued an order to take a census of the entire earth. This census was the first during the reign of Quirinius in Syria. And everyone went to sign up, each to his own city. Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, sign up with Maria, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Her to give birth; and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In that country there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were afraid with great fear. And the Angel said to them: Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people: For today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly a large army of heaven appeared with the Angel, praising God and crying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! 1. Since, by the generosity of the Lord, we intend to celebrate three solemn Liturgies today, we cannot talk for long about the Gospel reading. But the very birth of our Redeemer prompts us to say something, albeit briefly. What does it mean that before the birth of the Lord the Universe undergoes a census, if not a clear indication that He will appear in the flesh in eternity to census His elect? On the contrary, about the wicked through the Prophet it is said: “Let them be blotted out from the book of the living and let them not be written with the righteous.” (Ps 69:29). It is also good that He is born in Bethlehem, because Bethlehem means “house of bread.” For He Himself says: “I am the bread that came down from heaven” (John 6.41). Consequently, the place in which the Lord is born was first called the “house of bread” because it was completely destined for the appearance there in the flesh of the One who, through inner saturation, would restore the souls of the elect. He is not born in the parental home, but on the way, in order to clearly show that, according to the humanity He took upon Himself, He was born, as it were, in a foreign land. I call it a foreign land not by dominion, but by nature. For about His dominion it is written: “He came to his own” (John 1.11). By His nature He was born before time, but in ours He came in time. So, Who, being eternal, appeared temporary, for Him that (place) where He descended was alien. And since through the Prophet it is said: “all flesh is grass” (Isaiah 40.6), then He, having become a man, turned our hay into wheat, speaking about Himself: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, then only one remains; and if she dies, she will bear much fruit” (John 12.24). Therefore, He who was born is placed in a manger in order to restore the strength of all believers, that is, holy animals, with the wheat of His flesh, so that they do not remain hungry without the food of eternal understanding. But what does the appearance of an Angel to the vigilant shepherds and the illumination of them with the glory of God mean, if not that shepherds who know how to carefully watch over the flocks of believers deserve higher visions? And when they themselves piously watch over the flock, then Divine grace abundantly shines over them. 2. But the Angel announces the birth of a King, his voice is echoed by choirs of Angels and, rejoicing, they cry out: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” – For before our Redeemer was born in the flesh, we had disagreements with the Angels, from whose glory and purity we were far removed by the guilt of original sin and daily iniquities. Since we were removed from God for our sins, the Angels, the citizens of God, rejected us from their fellowship. But since we recognized our King, the Angels again recognized us as their fellow citizens. For when the King of heaven took upon himself the earth of our flesh, then this angelic height no longer despises our baseness. The angels again restore peace with us, not paying attention to the previous disagreement; and those who were previously despised as weak and outcasts are again considered comrades. That is why Lot (Genesis 19.1) and Joshua (Joshua 5.15) honor the Angels and do not hear from them a prohibition on respect; but John in his Apocalypse wanted to make the worship of an Angel; however, this same Angel forbade him to do undue reverence, saying: “But he said to me: see that you do not do this; For I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and with them who keep the words of this book; Worship God” (Rev 22.9). What does it mean that before the coming of the Redeemer, the Angels accept worship from people and are silent, and then avoid worship, if not that they are afraid to see our nature, which they previously despised, defeated before them, after they see it exalted above themselves? “It’s as if they don’t dare to despise the weakness that they honor above themselves in the King of Heaven.” Those who worship the God-Man do not consider it unworthy to have a man as a companion. So, beloved brethren, let us strive so that no uncleanness defiles us, if, according to eternal foreknowledge, we are citizens of God and equal to His Angels. Let us assimilate our dignity to our morals; let no luxury attract us; let no vile thought condemn us; let not malice gnaw at the soul; Let not the rust of envy destroy you; let pride not inflate; let ambition not be tormented by earthly pleasures; let not anger ignite. For people are called gods. “So, defend yourself, man, against vices with the honor of God, because for your sake God became man, Who lives and reigns forever and ever.” Amen. You might be interested in: