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Dear friends, More reading from the OSB (Orthodox Study Bible), Joel 2:15-17 (page 1013 q.v.):
"Sound the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, call out the elders, and gather the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom go out from his bedchamber and the bride out of her bridal chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests of the altar, ministering to the Lord, will each be weeping and will say, "O Lord, spare Your people; do not give Your inheritance to reproach, that the Gentiles should rule over them, lest they should say among the Gentiles, "Where is their God?"
Notes
2:12-17 Repentance is an ascetic effort. Joel emphasizes the inner state of the heart, bidding us to rend not our clothes but our hearts. This does not mean the the prophet opposed physical expressions of repentance. The penitent is to fast, weep, and mourn, all physical acts. Everyone in Israel was to gather to call upon the Lord, a physical and liturgical act. These acts, done in the right manner, only assist our repentance. If, in fact, we are justified simply by confessing our sins (1 Jn. 1:9), how much more so when our repentance is expressed physically, through our bodies and the community?
Interestingly, the prophet never tells us of what Israel was guilty. His emphasis remains on the coming judgment and the need to repent.
2:17 Between the porch and the altar: The altar represents the animal sacrifices which were offered to the Lord, while the porch refers to the people. So while the altar became a place of life through the death of the sacrificial animal, the porch was also a place for the dying who sought life. The priests, by placing themselves between the porch and the altar, were to mediate this life to the people. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, the porchj and altar have been united. Christ's death brings life to us."
Through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, and the prayers of our Holy Fathers, LORD JESUS CHRIST, Son of GOD, have mercy on us: AMEN AND AMEN.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages; AMEN.
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN."
In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington, Wednesday, April 14/27, 2011 AD
"Sound the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, call out the elders, and gather the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom go out from his bedchamber and the bride out of her bridal chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests of the altar, ministering to the Lord, will each be weeping and will say, "O Lord, spare Your people; do not give Your inheritance to reproach, that the Gentiles should rule over them, lest they should say among the Gentiles, "Where is their God?"
Notes
2:12-17 Repentance is an ascetic effort. Joel emphasizes the inner state of the heart, bidding us to rend not our clothes but our hearts. This does not mean the the prophet opposed physical expressions of repentance. The penitent is to fast, weep, and mourn, all physical acts. Everyone in Israel was to gather to call upon the Lord, a physical and liturgical act. These acts, done in the right manner, only assist our repentance. If, in fact, we are justified simply by confessing our sins (1 Jn. 1:9), how much more so when our repentance is expressed physically, through our bodies and the community?
Interestingly, the prophet never tells us of what Israel was guilty. His emphasis remains on the coming judgment and the need to repent.
2:17 Between the porch and the altar: The altar represents the animal sacrifices which were offered to the Lord, while the porch refers to the people. So while the altar became a place of life through the death of the sacrificial animal, the porch was also a place for the dying who sought life. The priests, by placing themselves between the porch and the altar, were to mediate this life to the people. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, the porchj and altar have been united. Christ's death brings life to us."
Through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother, and the prayers of our Holy Fathers, LORD JESUS CHRIST, Son of GOD, have mercy on us: AMEN AND AMEN.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages; AMEN.
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. AMEN."
In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington, Wednesday, April 14/27, 2011 AD