DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Ephesians 5:9-19
(12/12)
Epistle for the Feast of Spyridon the Wonder-Worker
The Illumination of the Spirit: Ephesians 5:9-19,
especially vs. 9: “...for the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth....” A noteworthy feature of this verse lies
in the fact that the large collection of ancient manuscripts attesting to its
being part of Saint Paul’s letter to Ephesus has two traditions concerning
a key word in the sentence - one tradition mostly from Eastern Fathers and one
largely from Western Fathers. In
the West the preferred reading is the fruit of the Light but in
the East the fruit of the Spirit. Ultimately, as Saint Mark the Ascetic
teaches us concerning the Holy Spirit: “On those who have been baptized
He pours Himself out in His fulness like the
sun. Each of us is illumined by Him
to the extent to which we hate the passions that darken us and get rid of
them.” To speak of the Spirit
as the Light simply changes the focus from the Spirit in Himself to the manner
in which we experience His presence.
Mostly we should understand the point that
Not only should we “...have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose
them” (Eph. 5:11) through lives so illumined by the Holy Spirit that they
allow others to behold God with us.
Ought there not be a contrast between the
manner in which we live in Christ and the lifestyles of the great numbers
around us who are children of this world and committed to its darkness? For this reason, God Himself chides us:
“...'Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you
light'” (vs. 14). We can be
so nice and accommodating, so considerate of the feelings
of others, and remain dead silent before blatant immorality that we
effectively become accomplices ourselves in wickedness. God forbid!
This life is very brief, after all. Let us not through carelessness, nor
fear of having others ostracize us, be found of God as
fools (vs. 15), but heed the Spirit within us and labor with Him toward our
own purity until we bring forth fruit “...in all goodness, righteousness,
and truth...” (vs. 9). Let us be wise (vs. 15). Why does God give us “The seal of
the gift of the Holy Spirit”?
You have heard it: to “...ever graciously illumine our
heart....maintain the shield of our faith unassailed
by the enemy. Preserve pure and
unpolluted the garment of incorruption, wherewith [Christ our God] hast endowed
us, upholding inviolate in us by His grace the seal of the
Spirit....”
On every corner, in every theater, at the
office, and on the production line opportunities to drink the “...wine,
in which is dissipation...” (vs. 18) is offered under a hundred different
labels. Whatever your place or mine
in this world, actually we have but one task: to manifest, to live openly that
all may see, to bear “...the fruit of the Spirit...in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth...” (vs. 9). We are not alone. The Spirit of the living God is sealed
upon us; “...be filled with the Spirit...” (vs.
18).
And the worst mistake is to think we are
alone. God is with us, and gives us
strength in the flesh through the Church - other mortals with whom we may speak
and grow “...in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in [our] heart to the Lord...” (vs. 19).
“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He
is good; for His mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 135:1).
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