In the spirit of Tempora: Feria VI infra Hebdomadam I post Epiphaniam
As we find ourselves within the liturgical time of the Epiphany, a season saturated with the light of Christ’s manifestation to the nations, today’s readings call us to reflect upon God’s divine election and our response to it. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 45:1-6 and Luke 12:35-40, when contemplated in harmony, present us with an image of divine favor bestowed upon the chosen and the necessity for vigilance and fidelity among God’s servants.
The Election of Moses: A Reflection from Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6
In Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, we are reminded of Moses’ election by God:
“He was beloved of God and men: whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.”
Moses, the archetypal servant of God, is praised for his humility and obedience. God set him apart, raised him up, and revealed His divine will to him for the salvation and sanctification of His people. St. Augustine, in his Exposition on the Psalms, draws our attention to Moses’ faithfulness as a model for all who are chosen by God:
“Moses was chosen as a servant, not for his own merit, but because God, in His wisdom, works marvelously through the weak to confound the proud. He gave to Moses not only the law written in stone but engraved on his heart, for he walked humbly before God.” (Enarrationes in Psalmos, Psalm 105)
In Moses, we see the epitome of what it means to be both chosen and obedient. He was not exalted for his own glory but as a mediator between God and His people, entrusted with the sacred law that leads to life.
The Call to Watchfulness: A Reflection from Luke 12:35-40
In the Gospel passage from Luke 12:35-40, our Lord exhorts His disciples to be watchful:
“Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching… Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.”
The imagery of girded loins and burning lamps echoes the Passover night in Egypt, when the Israelites were instructed to eat in haste and remain prepared for the Lord’s deliverance (Exodus 12:11). This passage is both a call to vigilance and a reminder of the joy that awaits those who are ready to meet the Bridegroom.
St. Cyril of Alexandria comments on this passage, emphasizing the necessity of persevering in holiness:
“To be girded in loins signifies the readiness of the heart, and the burning lamp in the hand is faith working through love. The faithful servant does not know the hour of the Master’s return, but he lives always in the light of His coming, laboring in virtue and despising the drowsiness of sin.” (Commentary on Luke, Sermon 93)
The Lord reminds us that His coming is certain, though the time is hidden. This uncertainty is not meant to provoke fear but to spur us toward constant readiness and joyful anticipation.
The Connection Between the Two Readings
Moses and the watchful servant both stand as models for us: Moses, the chosen servant who faithfully carried out God’s will, and the watchful servant who waits in eager anticipation for the Master’s return. The connection lies in their relationship with God—rooted in humility, obedience, and faith.
Moses entered into the cloud to speak with God and received the law that illuminated the path of righteousness. Similarly, the watchful servant holds the burning lamp, which represents the light of faith, guiding him through the night as he awaits the Lord’s arrival. The Church Fathers consistently teach that this light of faith must be nourished by grace, good works, and prayer.
Practical Application: Lessons for Today
- Imitate Moses in Humility and Obedience: Like Moses, we are called to respond to God’s election with faithfulness. God gives each of us a vocation—a unique role in His divine plan. We must approach this calling with the humility and trust exemplified by Moses, who allowed God to work through his weakness.
- Cultivate a Watchful Spirit: Christ’s exhortation to vigilance reminds us to live in the present with our eyes fixed on eternity. The liturgical season of Epiphany, rich with the theme of Christ’s manifestation, is a reminder to keep our spiritual lamps burning brightly by frequenting the sacraments, engaging in prayer, and performing works of mercy.
- Live in Anticipation of the Lord’s Return: As the servants in Luke’s Gospel, we are stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us. St. John Chrysostom, reflecting on this passage, warns us against spiritual complacency:”The Christian who neglects to be watchful is like a man who extinguishes his lamp in the night, forgetting that the Lord may come suddenly, as a thief, to call him to account.” (Homily on Matthew, 77)
Conclusion
The readings from Ecclesiasticus and Luke present a unified message: God’s divine election is both a gift and a responsibility. Moses teaches us the virtues of humility and obedience, while the watchful servant reminds us of the importance of perseverance in faith and readiness for the Lord’s return. As we continue through this season of Epiphany, may we embrace our calling as God’s chosen people, striving always to walk in His light with loins girded and lamps burning.
In the words of St. Gregory the Great:
“Be ever mindful of the day of judgment, dear brethren, and let your hearts be on fire with love of the Redeemer, so that His coming may not find you unprepared, but filled with good works and burning with charity.” (Homiliae in Evangelia, 13)
Let us, then, watch and pray, ready to meet the Lord with joy when He comes in glory.