NOTES for Luk 10:1-15
Let us listen, and then reflect on what Saint Theophan the Recluse tells us in his commentary on today's Gospel passage (Thoughts for Each Day of the Year): ‘So unbelievers have no reason to comfort themselves with hopes of the Lord's indulgence. Only here on earth can they do as they please; once death comes, the full storm of God's wrath will descend upon them. What a great misfortune to be among the unbelievers! Even on earth they have no joy, for without God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer, everything here too is dark and comfortless; as for what awaits them there, it is impossible either to describe in words or to imagine. It would be more comforting to cease to exist, but even that will not be granted them.’ Are we ready to follow him in this rigorism, severity and harshness? Perhaps some are ready, but the author of these lines feels a certain fear when thinking of these words of the saint. What, then, do we believers exist for? Only to save ourselves? But that is not very noble. A prayer from the prayers for Holy Communion comes to mind: ‘For You, Lover of mankind, have said through Your prophet: I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should turn and live. For You do not desire, O Master, to destroy the work of Your hands, nor do You take pleasure in the destruction of humankind, but You desire that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth…’ (Prayers before Communion, first prayer of Saint Basil the Great). These words place the emphasis quite differently. Who, then, are the people who must help the Lord fulfil His desire for the salvation of all? Clearly, those who are closest to Him: it is through their labour together with the Lord that the Earth is sustained. Thus, the fearsome words spoken by the Saviour today are, in fact, exclusively didactic, preparatory and educational in character. We are very sure of this, even if someone says we are wrong. But we have great faith in our great and holy father Basil, and we very much wish to say with him: but You, O Lord, being free from malice… (the same prayer).