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Panagia Grigoroussa
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming -- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
- Mark 13:28-37
In yesterday's reading, Jesus continued His discourse to the disciples on the time of the destruction of the temple (and the Siege of Jerusalem), and also of the end of the age. (It began with Saturday's reading): "So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven."
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." My study bible says that this generation refers to all believers at all times (that is, the generation of the Church). It's not merely meant for those alive at the time of Christ, although in a limited sense -- meant to refer only to the events of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem -- it does apply to "this generation" of His contemporaries, approximately 40 years later. But the prophecy of His Return teaches us that the Church will continue to thrive until that time, my study bible notes -- no matter how desperate things may sometimes appear to be.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming -- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" St. John Chrysostom writes that although Jesus declares that the Son does not know the day of His own return, this isn't to be understood literally but rather as a figure of speech. It is simply to be taken by us as that He will not reveal to us the exact day -- and that believers should not be so bold as to ask it of Him. The emphasis here is on what we are to be about during this time in which we await His return. "Take heed, watch and pray" is our formula for obedient service, doing what our Master wishes from us.
Jesus' final byword at the end of chapter 13 (and His warning about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the time of His Return), is "Watch!" It's an important and significant word, coming as it does in this place. In the Greek, "watch" is translated from γρηγορεῖτε (grigoreite'), in the plural second person, addressed to all of us as a command from the Master. This word comes from one that might literally be meant to mean "quicken," but it is used to indicate watchfulness, as a guard is put on watch, or rousing from sleep -- alertness, wakefulness. In modern Greek, its root is used to mean "fast" or "quickly." One can imagine its use for the way a good servant or soldier would respond to a command, with alacrity. It means to keep vigilant and be attentive, especially as used in the context of Scripture. Interestingly, in the Greek Orthodox tradition there is also an icon of Mary with the title "Grigoroussa," meaning one who comes quickly in response to prayer -- as one who prays with us and hears our requests for her prayers to the Son in assistance to us. (An original icon was brought by refugees from Asia Minor, and dedicated in 1945 to this church in Athens, Greece -- also times of great tribulation.) To watch and be wakeful is, in the broadest sense in which Jesus uses this word, to be aware of the things of God, the things He's warned us about. We are to know our places and our "work" as good servants who await the Master's return. Taken with the context of the title for Mary, the one who comes quickly to pray with us, we can understand this command to "Watch!" as one to know what business we are to be about. We remember that the Master may return at any moment, and at a time which we don't know. Are there others who need our prayers, or our help in some form? Is there something that we'd be quick to do if the Master's eye were upon us, and He were there in person standing before us? These are the things we must be attentive to, alert to, vigilant about, and watchful for. We're supposed to be aware, not sleeping, nor forgetful nor lax because the Master seems to be away for a long time. This is what "Watch!" means as a command. Mary, as our great example among the communion of saints, sets the tone by her love of Christ, her loyalty, and her vigilance. She is the one who comes quickly to pray with us, who responds to true need, and does not turn away -- as she did not turn away nor desert her Son at the Cross, but remained vigilantly watching despite her pain. How do you see your calling by Christ? Is there someone who needs your prayers right now? Is there something that needs doing? If He were to return this moment, and were standing in front of you, His eyes upon you, what is it you need to be alert to? What need do you see around you, or have in your own life to do things His way? What needs your attention? This is the great call we have, the way He calls us all to live. Be alert to the things of God, of Christ. Take heed, watch and pray. Above all, Watch!
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near -- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." My study bible says that this generation refers to all believers at all times (that is, the generation of the Church). It's not merely meant for those alive at the time of Christ, although in a limited sense -- meant to refer only to the events of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem -- it does apply to "this generation" of His contemporaries, approximately 40 years later. But the prophecy of His Return teaches us that the Church will continue to thrive until that time, my study bible notes -- no matter how desperate things may sometimes appear to be.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming -- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" St. John Chrysostom writes that although Jesus declares that the Son does not know the day of His own return, this isn't to be understood literally but rather as a figure of speech. It is simply to be taken by us as that He will not reveal to us the exact day -- and that believers should not be so bold as to ask it of Him. The emphasis here is on what we are to be about during this time in which we await His return. "Take heed, watch and pray" is our formula for obedient service, doing what our Master wishes from us.
Jesus' final byword at the end of chapter 13 (and His warning about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the time of His Return), is "Watch!" It's an important and significant word, coming as it does in this place. In the Greek, "watch" is translated from γρηγορεῖτε (grigoreite'), in the plural second person, addressed to all of us as a command from the Master. This word comes from one that might literally be meant to mean "quicken," but it is used to indicate watchfulness, as a guard is put on watch, or rousing from sleep -- alertness, wakefulness. In modern Greek, its root is used to mean "fast" or "quickly." One can imagine its use for the way a good servant or soldier would respond to a command, with alacrity. It means to keep vigilant and be attentive, especially as used in the context of Scripture. Interestingly, in the Greek Orthodox tradition there is also an icon of Mary with the title "Grigoroussa," meaning one who comes quickly in response to prayer -- as one who prays with us and hears our requests for her prayers to the Son in assistance to us. (An original icon was brought by refugees from Asia Minor, and dedicated in 1945 to this church in Athens, Greece -- also times of great tribulation.) To watch and be wakeful is, in the broadest sense in which Jesus uses this word, to be aware of the things of God, the things He's warned us about. We are to know our places and our "work" as good servants who await the Master's return. Taken with the context of the title for Mary, the one who comes quickly to pray with us, we can understand this command to "Watch!" as one to know what business we are to be about. We remember that the Master may return at any moment, and at a time which we don't know. Are there others who need our prayers, or our help in some form? Is there something that we'd be quick to do if the Master's eye were upon us, and He were there in person standing before us? These are the things we must be attentive to, alert to, vigilant about, and watchful for. We're supposed to be aware, not sleeping, nor forgetful nor lax because the Master seems to be away for a long time. This is what "Watch!" means as a command. Mary, as our great example among the communion of saints, sets the tone by her love of Christ, her loyalty, and her vigilance. She is the one who comes quickly to pray with us, who responds to true need, and does not turn away -- as she did not turn away nor desert her Son at the Cross, but remained vigilantly watching despite her pain. How do you see your calling by Christ? Is there someone who needs your prayers right now? Is there something that needs doing? If He were to return this moment, and were standing in front of you, His eyes upon you, what is it you need to be alert to? What need do you see around you, or have in your own life to do things His way? What needs your attention? This is the great call we have, the way He calls us all to live. Be alert to the things of God, of Christ. Take heed, watch and pray. Above all, Watch!
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