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Meaning And Signification Of The Readings Of The Church

Perhaps there is no definite Scriptural text showing the meaning and significance of the Readings of the church, just like the story of the Emmaus two disciples’ meeting with the risen Christ -to whom be glory- at which their eyes were opened and they knew Him (Luke 24:13 – 35); which happened after He had been speaking to them on the way, beginning at Moses and all the prophets; when their heart burned within them for His word. When they urged Him to abide with them as the day was far spent, and He broke the bread with them, their eyes were opened.

    Here there are two points for us to note:
  1. The word of God, spoken by Christ Himself [to whom be glory].
  2. The acts and life that bear the title of Love. Besides,
  3. We see the Divine gift: (the opening of the inner eyes).

Perhaps this shows the aim of the church readings; that they are not merely a part of an ecclesiastical rite, nor are they regarded as a license for communion): for, it was widely spread among people that we should not miss the Liturgy Gospel, that we might be worthy of taking the communion). Also, they are not for doctrine, reproof and correction, and that is all… (2 Timothy 3:16) despite being of a great value in so doing. Yet, they are as the light that shines until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts. (2 Peter 1:19).

[I wish these four lines were written in a heavy line].

Thus, not only does their value lie in being one of the liturgical rituals, but they also are the bread of our life (Matthew 4:4), the light of our way (Proverbs 6:23), the armor of our fight (Ephesians 6:17), the safety of our ministry (Joshua 1:8) and our meditation for all day long (Psalm 1:2). Thus, how good it is for our daily readings to be fulfilled by those of the liturgy, and for our personal readings to be unfolded by the Readings of the church!

If we think of the three pillars, the Lord and Emmaus disciples, when met – we note how they were in one accord, in harmony and inseparable unity.

(First): He began at Moses… (Luke 24:27). Here, the talker is the Lord Himself; that is why the heart did burn and prepare itself for receiving the Divine revelation afterwards. This is what our holy church, with its fully spiritual rite do to prepare us for the readings, and particularly for gospel readings. Therefore, there is a special liturgy for the readings, called the Liturgy of the Word, in which, come five readings of the Holy Scriptures. Those are preceded by four others included in Vespers and Matins, and also by sacramental prayers told by the priest for all, (and even for the priest himself), that the eyes may be opened so as to behold the presence of the Son of God through his word, and for the opening of the ears to receive the message of salvation.

Pauline Mystery:
“O Good One and Lover of Mankind, we ask You, grant us and all Your people a mind free from wandering and a clear understanding that we may know and understand how profitable are Your holy teachings which are now read to us through him. And as he followed Your example. O Author of life, so make us also worthv to be like him in deed and in faith”

Catholicon Mystery:
“O Lord our God, who through Your holy apostles has revealed to us the mystery of the Gospel of the glory of Your Christ, and have given to them according to the great immeasurable gift of Your grace that they should proclaim among all nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of Your mercy”

Gospel Mystery:
“May we be made worthy to hear Your Holy Gospels, and may we keep Your precepts and commandments and bring forth fruit therein, a hundredfold, sixtyfold, and thirtyfold, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Moreover, the church specified a special ordinance for the person in charge of the readings, called [Gnostos], that is, reader and explainer of the holy books. That is to say that he who reads should bear the word of God in his heart (Deuteronomy 6:6).

But as we come to the Gospel, we find more readiness and much more fear; as if we come near to a mountain smoked with fire (Exodus 24:17). So the church has put a litany especially for the gospel, to praise it and bless those who hear its word (Revelation 1:3). For, it had been the desire of many prophets and righteous people to hear the word and preaching of salvation; that was even the angels’ desire (1 Peter 1:10-12). We see the deacon calling, and the cross pointing upward, for us to be attentive (incline your ears wisely that we may hear the holy gospel). The priest offers incense for His presence at his word at the bible holder. Two deacons stand at the sight, with candles for announcing the light of His word; and a devout people, standing in reverence, waiting for the light of His salvation, the power of His Divine presence, and His message to each of them personally. Here we may need to cease and meditate for some time with saint John the seer (Revelation 4, 5), when he found the sealed book which no one on earth or in heaven was able to open, but the Son of God, (the Lamb standing as though it had been slain). If we consider the atmosphere of that Book at its being opened and revealed, we find out: –

  • The Lamb stood as it had been slain (the sacrifice of the Eucharist).
  • The 24 Elders (Priesthood).
  • Harps and censers filled with incense, which is the prayers of the saints (incense).
  • Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels (the partnership of those who are in heaven).
  • A liturgical praising that says, (Holy, Holy, Holy).
  • Then comes the answer of the people and the believers, “Amen.” This is an emphasis that the Divine revelation shown inthe word and in the holy bible is made manifest in the liturgy. In other words, it is the Eucharist that opens our eyes at His presence at his word. In every liturgy, God opens His sealed Books, amidst the incense of the priests, the praising of the liturgy (Agios hymn), and the partnership of the heavenly (prayer of the intercessions); just as that which happened to saint John the beloved at the time of his revelation (Revelation 4:5). That is to say, the zenith of the Divine revelation in the holy books is reached through the liturgy! Such is shown when Abraham saw God at the offering of the sheep as a sacrifice, instead of Isaac, as says reverend father Tadros Ya’qoob Malati: “Jehovah sees”, that is, (God sees); (Genesis 22:14). Thus was God shown to Abraham at the place of the sacrifice, where reconciliation was made between God and Man; and we have become worthy of seeing Him, as sons who can be placed in the bosom of the Father. Through the sacrifice, the Holy Spirit raises us, taking us toward the bosom of God, that we would receive the gift of seeing Him; not with the temporal eye sight, but beholding the unity with God, and enjoying partnership in His everlasting glories. Hence came the altar of the New Testament church as an embodiment of the heavens… the place of God’s meeting with Man through the slain Son.
  • (FR. Tadros Ya’qoob Malati – Explanation of the Book of Genesis, Chapter 22).

That may give an explanation why there are saints of our people who have never had any education, yet their closure to the liturgy and the word of God delivered through it enriched them in faith (James 2:5). They even grew to be chosen vessels for preaching the name of God (1 Corinthians 1:27). When His liturgical word (through the Mass) comes together with that which He gives to the daily life of Man, his heart will be burned with His love, and he will clearly hear His voice through the readings of the church.

Thus we will not be in need of philosophies or studies suggesting ways for us to be able to hear His voice; for He has a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12); he will not cry (Matthew 12:19), and no one in the streets (no mind full of vain thoughts) hears His voice. Only those who could have interior rest and quietness (Isaiah 30:15). I think I do not exaggerate to say, whoever goes to the church to hear and consider its readings, being in thirst to His love and presence, fully focusing on what the Spirit says, (Revelation 2:7), will hear His voice coming from the windows (Song Of Solomon 2:9). He also will say, I found Him whom my soul loves. He will perceive and experience the riches of His love (Song of Solomon 8:3). So when the light shines within our hearts, our needs will be changed, and we will submit to His will unto death (Acts 21:13). Such is illustrated by Origen the Scholar: as he stresses the importance of listening to, and caring for the readings of the church on the one hand, and their relevance to the holy life on the other. “If we read carelessly, with no zeal for understanding or knowledge, the Scripture as a whole may be covered with a veil – even the gospels and the epistles.”

“From among you, there are some who come directly after the readings; others may not ask about or speak of what they hear. Those do not remember the Divine commandments of the Law, which say, “ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you:” (Deuteronomy 32:7). Some people may not wait till they end up the readings at the church; others may not even be concerned with readings’ being told or not… About those I say, that when Moses is read, not only will a veil, but also a wall and fence be placed inside their heart.”

“Studies alone are not sufficient for us to know the Holy Scriptures; nevertheless, it is meet for us to entreat and beseech the Lord day and night, till the Lamb of the tribe of Judah comes to hold the sealed book and open its seals (Revelation 5:5). This is He who, when expounded the Scriptures to His disciples, their hearts burned, that they said, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He {expounded to us the Books?}” (Luke 24:32). Now may the Lord have compassion upon us. It is said, the Lord is a Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). So may this liberty of knowledge be confirmed within us that we could be delivered from the bondage of the veil. Therefore the apostle added, “But we all with unveiled face, behold the glory of the Lord…” But how come for us to enjoy such a liberty, as long as we are bond to the world, to mammon and lusts of the body?!”

Origen the Scholar – Explanation of the Book of Exodus – 34 – FR. Tadros Ya’qoob Malati

(Second): “They Constrained Him” (Luke 24:29): –

Here comes the second pillar of this building: that is, Christian behavior; particularly, love to others. Just imagine with me what a great damage would it be if they did not constrain Him to abide with them! For, had that been done, they would have lost beholding Him, and would not even have understood what had happened to them on the road! This shows the value of Christian love in the readings of the church; because the light of the word shines in the loving hearts (1 John 2:10). So, our care for love is our open gate leading to the holy places in order to behold our redemption and redeemer (Hebrews 10:22). But without love, all that which we hear or say would become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1), even if we spoke with the tongues of men and of angels!

As we follow up the apparition of God to Abraham, the father of fathers, we find out their relation to his love and giving to others (Genesis 14, 15). If we know that God stipulated that Job must have forgiven his friends who had trespassed against him (Job 42:10) before restoring him from captivity and compensating him, we will feel the meaning and value of the Divine love and commandment, being related to the word and to the presence of God in our lives.

(Third): “Then their eyes were opened” (Luke 24:31): –

In every liturgy, the opening of the eyes happens to those who hear the word from God Himself, and those who live in Christian acting love; not with a material view, but by the inner vision of the heart comes the opening of the human inner eyes, so as to see God’s nature, love, features and Divine dispensation for the life of Man, for the church and the world. Thus the life of Man changes with the change of this selfsame image from glory to glory (2 corinthians 3:18). Whenever the eyes are opened, the need of grace and knowledge of God increases within Man (2 Peter 3:18); Also increases Man’s surety of his human infirmity (2 corinthians 12:5) and his potter vessel (2 corinthians 4:7); that he is always put under passion and weakness (James 5:17), and in the balances he is weighed wanting (Daniel 5:27). Then the revelation is a free Divine gift, given to whoever feels poor and needy (Psalm 70:5), and to every one who bestows all hope on God’s grace and love (Matthew 5:3).

So the holy church provides us with the readings which lead us to the upper chamber, to sit with Christ, that he may wash our feet and our sins, and grant us the greatest things that we could ever have: “His life in us” (1 John 5:11) through His Holy Body and His pure Blood, that we would go forth with Him and in Him to the cross and the resurrection.

Blessed is every human being who leads a liturgical life of Eucharist, full of thanksgiving, praising, love and giving, and of delight of His word and the richness of His presence; whose service is another liturgy, (Thanksgiving, praising, giving, ministry and preaching), as said the deceased Anba Athanasius, Metropolitan of Beni-Suef. Thus, and by the church and the church readings he may live the love of Christ which passes knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). All glory, greatness, praising, thanksgiving, power and authority, be to the Holy Trinity for ever and ever. Amen.