In the audio, both lessons are read, and are followed by a homily by yours truly.
A Lesson from the Gospel according to S. Luke 21.25
Jesus said unto his disciples: “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
A Lesson from Commentary by the Ven. S. Bede (On Luke 21.26)
I believe that this statement points to the advent itself of the Judge, when, according to the parable found in another passage, all the virgins, both the wise and the foolish, are aroused by an unexpected cry and trim their lamps, that is, they inwardly count up their deeds, for because of them they await with the greatest fear the outcome impending at that very moment of the eternal Judgment. For up to this point nearly the whole world is going to act without any fear of the Judge, as the Apostle Paul witnesses, who says: “When people say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.” So then, with the fear and expectation of the strict Judgment coming upon the whole world, many who seemed to flourish in this world will wither away when they realize that they are without good fruit. Then the faith that had bloomed without works, probed by the fire of the just Judge, will shrivel up. It is no wonder that human beings, who are earthbound either by nature or by understanding, are disturbed at His Judgment, at the prospect of which the very powers of heaven themselves, that is, the angelic powers, tremble, as the blessed Job also attests, who says: “The pillars of heaven tremble and are struck with fear at His rebuke.”
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