Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Matthew 24: 42- 51; Dear and Respected the brethren, We have observed the three days fasting

(Nineveh Lent), the forerunner of the great Lent. We were trying to copy down the repentance of Prophet Jonah, the pagan king of Nineveh and the entire population of Nineveh. We were trying to learn how those people had responded to the intimation passed over to them from God Almighty through His prophet Jonah. As we know, the 18 days from the final day of the 3 days Lent till the first day of the great Lent , which are often known as the gap of 18 days (in our Mother tongue  it is called Pathinettida) These 18 days are often counted as the free days without Lent or fasting. But these days are meant for preparing for the great Lent. The soldiers would have a thorough check up of their weapons and instruments to be used during the war, immediately after the declaration of the war. We the faithful are supposed to have a war with the evil forces. So our Church Fathers have instructed us to seek the intercession and support of all the departed clergy on the first Sunday of the 18 days gap and all the departed on the second Sunday of the 18 days gap. So this Sunday we are obliged to seek the special support, care and companionship of all the departed clergy.
Today’s reading starts with our Lord’s exhortation to watch. In verse 42 we read, “Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.” So it is very clear that we are asked to wait for the arrival of our Lord. In the Holy Bible we find ‘watch’ at different places. In St. Matthew 25: 13, St. Mark 13: 35, St. Luke 21: 36, we have been exhorted to “watch therefore”.
In St. Matthew 26: 41, St. Mark 13:33, 14: 38 and 1 Corinthians 16:13 we find the exhortation to watch and pray and to stand in faith. What must be our prayer? We are taught to pray to enable us and our beloved departed ones on the right hand of our Lord God on his second coming and also to enable us all to praise Him and glorify Him on His blessed second coming.  Let us think what sorts of faith are we expected to maintain? It is nothing other than the faith confessed by St. Peter and St. Thomas. St. Peter confessed that Lord Jesus is the son of the living God and St. Thomas addressed resurrected Lord Jesus as his “Lord and God’. We all have accepted Lord Jesus as our savior, redeemer, Lord and God through our baptism. We are supposed to recite our faith audibly or inaudibly every day/ for this reason only our Church Fathers have insisted us to recite the creed every time with the common/canonical prayers. In addition to the creed, let us practice to confess in our minds every morning and evening, “Lord you are my Lord and God” and let us watch for His blessed second coming.
St. Paul in his first epistle to Thessalonians 5:6 and St. Peter in his first epistle 4:7 advises us to watch and stand in sober. In Hebrews we understand that those who watch do care their souls. (chapter 13:17) In Revelation 16:15 we read, “Blessed is he that watch”
What is the relevance of meditating this scriptural portion on the day set apart to remember and seek the intercession of all our departed clergy? The Holy Church confirms that all our departed clergy of yesteryears had been good enough in watching for the coming of our Lord. This has to enable us to follow their foot steps. And if someone had failed somewhere in their lives, we have to pray for them so that God would forgive them.
Let us remember all our departed priests, High Priests and let us pray for their eternal lives in heaven. Let us seek their continued intercession.
May God bless us all
Jose Kurian Puliyeril, Kottayam.