Trailers and Previews

We have grown accustomed to getting a sneak peak into the future every time we go the movies. Trailers have been a standard in the movie industry since the beginning. Trailers and previews are nice because we know what to expect when we get to the movie. The same is true in our spiritual life.

Ever since God scolded Adam and Eve in the Garden, He has been giving us previews of our future. In the Holy Scriptures, through the Prophets God showed His people trailers of what to expect. In her love for us, today the Church does the same thing. Today’s Gospel is the trailer for Holy Week. The Great Fast begins is just twelve days, but we are already being prepared for what to expect.

At that time, while Jesus was speaking to the disciples, Judas Iscariot came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away under guard.”  And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, “Rabbi!”  And he kissed him.  And they laid hands on him and seized him.  But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.  And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?  Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.  But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”  And they all forsook him, and fled.  And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.  And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.  And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, and warming himself at the fire.  Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.  For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree.  And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'”  Yet not even so did their testimony agree.  And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make?  What is it that these men testify against you?”  But he was silent and made no answer.  Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”  And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”  And the high priest tore his garments, and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard his blasphemy.  What is your decision?”  And they all condemned him as deserving death.  And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!”  And the guards received him with blows.  And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”  But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.”  And he went out into the gateway, and the cock crowed.  And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”  But again he denied it.  And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.”  But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”  And immediately the cock crowed a second time.  And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.”  And he broke down and wept.  And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate.

Mark 14:43-72; 15:1

We will hear this reading again during Holy Week, but today the Church wants us to get a preview. Movie trailers grab our attention, and we look forward to the main feature. When the Church gives us a preview it is meant for the same purpose.

The Triodion is about preparing ourselves for the Great Fast, Holy Week, and Pascha. The Church is always looking forward and preparing us for what is coming next. When we finally do arrive at Holy Week, the Church will already be showing the previews of Pascha and beyond.

It isn’t that we aren’t supposed to focus on the present. Christ said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6.34) When we look ahead, we are better prepared, and the Triodion as all about preparation.

When we watch a good trailer, we think, “I really want to see that movie when it comes out.” We make plans to go to the theater. In the same way, today we see the trailer for Holy Week. Will we make plans to be in Church every night? Or, will we wait to see if something better comes along? I hope you will be in Church.