From antiochan.org/dynamis:
Daily Readings:
DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
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Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (11/24-12/7) Second Vesperal Reading: Great Martyr Catherine
Worthy of God: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, especially vs. 5: “...God tested them and found them worthy of Himself.” The holy Apostle Paul adamantly asserts that “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). How then is it possible to say of anyone that he or she is worthy of God? Extending what he declares, Christ’s Apostle draws on Psalms written by the Prophet and King, David, and on words from David’s wise son, King Solomon, to illumine his affirmation: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Ps 13:1-3; Ps. 52:1-3; Ec. 7:20). So then, what have we? Can anyone possibly be found worthy of God as stated in the Wisdom of Solomon?
It is right to note that this passage is read at the Great Vespers on Feast Days of many of Christ’s Saints and Martyrs. Does that suggest an answer? Is it that God finds the worthy among those who die for Christ or are united to Him in the Christian Mystery? This has merit, but let us not be hasty. Rather we are wise to search deeply, so as not to accept an over-simple answer.
The martyrial account of Catherine of Alexandria reports that this beautiful and learned maiden, having prayed before an icon of the Virgin Mother and the Child Jesus, fell asleep and saw the Queen of the angels holding the holy Child as on the icon. But she could not see His face, no matter which way she sought to look at Him, for he turned away toward His Mother. In the dream the Theotokos said to Christ, “Behold, my Child, how fair and virtuous is Your handmaiden Catherine!” To this Christ is said to have replied, “No she is black and unsightly. I cannot bear to look upon her.” The Lord is reported then to have counseled Catherine to return to the elder who gave her the icon in the first place. Then it was that the holy elder instructed Catherine at length in the mysteries of true Christian faith, after which she was Baptized.
Subsequently Catherine dreamed again of Christ, during which His Mother asked the Lord once more, “Is this maiden acceptable to You, my Son?” To this Christ answered “She pleases me greatly, for she is now as fair and delightful as she once was black and unsightly, as wealthy and wise as she was formerly poor and foolish. I truly love her, and wish to take her as My bride forever.” In the rest of the account of this Great Martyr, the record describes how the pagan authorities tested her new-found Faith, and how she influenced many witnesses to embrace Christ and even to die for His sake. This corroborates Solomon’s saying, that God has tested the souls of the righteous “...like gold in a furnace and accepted them as a whole burnt offering” (WSol. 3:6).
Catherine’s prayer, at the time of her execution by beheading, applies further light to our search for a good understanding of how all of us who fall short of Divine glory could possibly be deemed ‘worthy of God.’ “O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I thank Thee that Thou has set my feet upon the rock of patience and hast guided my steps....Remember, O Lord, that I am flesh and blood, and do not permit cruel inquisitors to bring to light before Thy dread judgment seat the sins I have committed in ignorance, but do Thou wash them in my blood.” She presents the Lord with her love for Him, her devotion to Him, yet in no way neglecting her unworthiness.
Now we may take a closer step toward the fullness of what God teaches in this reading: “...the faithful shall continue with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His elect” (WSol. 3:9). Love of Christ and willing commitment to Him are met by the ‘grace and mercy’ of God. Behold! Trust and God together wrap “the garment of righteousness,” around the servant of Christ who comes forth from the Baptismal waters, unworthy though any of us are.
Vouchsafe unto me a robe of light, O Thou Who clothest Thyself with light, Christ our God.
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