A HOMILY FOR THE GREAT FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS
(Sept. 8/21)
About the Epistle Lection, and the Christian’s High Calling of Emulation of Christ
Brothers and sisters!
Today is the Great Feast of the Nativity of the All-Holy, Ever-Virgin Mary: one of the chief days on which we glorify the Mother of our God. Therefore, it is fitting that the Epistle lection for the day tell us Who is her Son: Christ Jesus Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Additionally, the Epistle reading, which is extracted from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians, provides a concise summary of what constitutes the task and calling of the Christian, the follower of Christ God. In its opening verse, the Apostle exhorts: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Truly great and exalted is our calling, brothers and sisters! In today’s Epistle, the word of God urges us to have the same feelings as did Christ Himself; it requires that our thoughts be pure, as were Jesus Christ’s thoughts; that our speech be true, as was Christ’s; and that our deeds be righteous, as were Christ’s. In short, as Christians, we are commanded to emulate the supremely holy life on earth of our Lord Jesus Christ. What could possibly be a more exalted life’s work than this!
But it is not in this one passage alone that Sacred Scripture bids us imitate Christ. There are many others, the better to encourage us to fulfill our soul-saving duty. As He Which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conduct,[1] writes the Chief Apostle Peter. And the beloved disciple John the Theologian says of Christ and His follower, He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.[2] And the Lord Himself commands in both Testaments, Old and New: Be ye holy; for I am holy.[3]
What does this say about the meaning of the Christian way of life? It means that a Christian should be one who follows Christ constantly throughout his sojourn on earth. This is how he becomes holy, a vessel of divine grace, and is deemed worthy to reign with Christ in heaven. As Saint Paul put it: Ye are saved by grace through faith.[4] He is a Christian who loves Christ above all, with his whole mind and soul; who keeps the Saviour’s commandments; who does everything possible to foster piety in himself; and who struggles to advance in every virtue. In a word, they are true Christians who are children of light.[5] But if we say that we have fellowship with Christ, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth,[6] according to Saint John the Theologian.
Only he walks in the light who without reservation brings his every thought to the obedience[7] of Christ. Only he walks in the light who does his best to order his life in accordance with the teachings of Christ. For Jesus Christ and He only is the Light of the world, as He says: I am the Light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.[8] Christ alone is the Sun of righteousness. If He illumines our mind and heart, then we recognize the truth and tread the path leading to salvation: the path of His commandments, the path He showed us by His supremely holy life. But when we begin to live according to our own perverted will, then sin, the world, and the flesh blind our spiritual eyes, and we lapse into darkness, thus losing the path to life eternal. For this reason, we ought to read Christ’s words and to study His life in the Gospels as frequently as possible. This way, we will kindle in ourselves desire to arrange our affairs so that our daily life accords with the example of Christ’s most holy life.
Perhaps you will say, “How dare we hope to emulate Christ’s thoughts, feelings, and life? He is the Holy of Holies; we were conceived in iniquity and born in sin. He is the Creator Almighty; we are dust of the earth.” Certainly, this is true, but was not the whole purpose for which the Son of God came to earth the salvation of sinners? Was it not for our salvation that He sent down His Most Holy Spirit, shedding divine light and grace, and granting us power against the devil? Was it not to this end that He permitted His all-pure blood to be shed upon the Cross, thereby sanctifying us, redeeming us, and making us fit for His Kingdom? To what purpose has He granted us Holy Baptism, if not to cleanse, purify and enlighten the whole world?
Thousands upon thousands of saints are already living with Christ in heaven, even though they had the same weaknesses and sinful nature we have. Despite these weaknesses, they believed wholeheartedly in Christ, cleaved to Him in love, struggled unto blood to fulfill His commandments, and followed in His footsteps. For this the Lord, in His immeasurable compassion, blotted out their sins and granted them the gift of grace in abundance, enabling them to lead a most devout and holy life. After their death, He received them into the glory of His Heavenly Father’s celestial mansions.
Do you imagine that our Saviour is any less eager to bestow His divine blessings upon us than He was upon the saints? Remember that Jesus Christ is in every way the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.[9] He has the same compassion for us as He had for the saints. He is just as ready to strengthen, enlighten, and sanctify us with grace as He was ready to sanctify them. He requires only that we imitate His meekness, kindness, and patience to the best of our ability. He merely asks that we try and forgive others as He forgave those who sinned against Him. He expects nothing much beyond that we struggle a little in prayer for the sake of our own souls, remembering how He as man often struggled in night-long prayer to His Heavenly Father.
If we compel ourselves to these things, our Christ promises to grant us abundant grace in this life, and the Kingdom of God in the next.
But remember, dear brothers and sisters, that the present life passes quickly and often ends unexpectedly. When the sands of time run out for us, we cannot turn over the hourglass. Furthermore, we can never know how far the sands have already run out. Only in this life have we the opportunity to struggle for our salvation. As for worldly enjoyments, satisfactions, and achievements, they will not help us at all beyond the grave.
And now I shall conclude with a reference to today’s Gospel, which we hear on all the feasts of the Theotokos. In those days, it says, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice and said unto the Saviour, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. Straightway she exclaimed this, the Lord revealed that He wishes to share the blessedness enjoyed by His holy Mother with all who believe in Him, keep His commandments, and emulate His life. Yea, indeed, He answered, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. While we have time, dear Christians, let us put our hand to the task. Let us cleave with our whole heart to the Saviour, fulfilling His commandments and emulating His life. And let us not forget to add to this the all-powerful intercessions of the Mother of God, by frequently entreating her mighty prayers. For nothing will better ensure that her Son will illumine our way and help us than her maternal supplications. Amen.
[1] I Pet. 1:15
[2] I John 2:6
[3] I Pet. 1:16; Lev. 11:44
[4] Eph. 2:5
[5] I Thes. 5:5
[6] I John 1:6
[7] II Cor. 10:15
[8] John 8:12
[9] Heb. 13:8
