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The Epistle reading on the second Sunday of Great Lent was from the Holy Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 1, the last 5 verses: “And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.’ But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

First, Saint Paul uses Old Testament texts to prove that the Messiah, the One awaited, the One proclaimed by the prophets, was in fact the Son of God. Because that is why he says, “But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’?” This is from the Psalms (109:1). The answer is: none. So, the Messiah is the Son of God.

Today’s Epistle reading ends with an exhortation. Given that the Messiah is the very Son of God, not just an emissary, not just a chosen one, but the Son of God, consubstantial with God, this shows us what a “strong statement” God makes, how seriously God takes our salvation. Having this in mind, Saint Paul says: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?!”

Before, in the Old Testament, it was anticipated that all the nations and all the world would share in God’s salvation (Psalm 66:2, 97:3). After the coming of the Messiah, we know that He, the Messiah, the Servant of God, is “the salvation of God unto the ends of the earth” (cf. Isaiah 49:6). Before, it was said that “your salvation will be known among all nations” (cf. Psalm 66:2). Now we see how all the “nations”, the whole world, knows about the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This is what “Jesus” means: “Savior”. He is the salvation of God. He, the Messiah. In Him, the whole world attains salvation. And all the peoples will see the salvation of God. And Saint Paul asks: “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?!”, if we show ourselves indifferent toward such a Savior, the Son of God Himself?! If we remain indifferent, who else can help us?!

The more seriously we take our salvation, the more seriously we will take our Savior, who is the salvation of God for us!