Great Lent ends with Holy Week, or in Eastern Usage, the Week of the Bridegroom
as our Lord Jesus Christ accomplishes the Will of His Father,
the Redemption, Salvation of humanity.
This year, 2024, the Holy Annunciation is the Monday of the Week of the Bridegroom.
The Mother of God sings her Canticle of the Incarnation, the Magnificat the last line of which is:
He has come to the help of Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham, and to his descendants forever.
Let us not miss the point she is making: she is connecting Israel but also Abraham as a participant when the Word-
It is wonderful, deeply moving to ponder in the Old Testament, a grand succession of covenants. Adam, then Noah, and Abraham, where we pause to ponder Mary’s Song, recalling Abraham, yes God’s promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
Our Lady is referring to Genesis Chap. 12 where we read: “God said to Abram: ‘Go from your country... to the land I will show you…. I will make your name great…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’” [and Mary added ‘forever’]
Prayer is most rewarding and the early monks (who composed Sticheron and Books of the Hours) provided me with a link, a bridge. What the Early Fathers of the Church teach-
O Christ Jesus, most High God, the One who is your Father, according to your divine Nature, You called God, according to the human nature You took on. Now You are Risen from the dead and You have revealed Him as the Father of humanity, He the One who by nature is God and Master.
Church Fathers are explicit.
“Why was the blood that was shed for us, God’s most precious and glorious blood, [this blood of the Sacrificer and the Sacrifice] why was it poured out? And to whom was it offered? If it was a ransom offered to God the Father, the question arises: for what reason? It was not that the Father held us captive. Then why should the blood of His only Son be pleasing to the Father who refused to accept Isaac when Abraham offered him (Isaac) as a burnt offering accepting instead the sacrifice of a ram? Is it not evident that the Father accepts the sacrifice (of Jesus Christ His Son) not because He demands it or feels some need of it but to carry out His, the Father’s own plan? Humanity had to be brought to life by the humanity of God... we had to be called back to Him by His Son …. ~ St Gregory Nazianzen ~
“When the cosmic struggle was finished He remained steadfast at the edge of the universe, displaying in His own Person the trophy of victory.” ~ Easter Sermon -
