Luke 21:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a similar manner, both commandments emanate from the one true God who says, "In the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17), and "Be cautious that your hearts do not become burdened by worldly desires" (Luke 21:34). This darkness that arises from earthly indulgence and anxieties numbs the soul, leading it away from the spiritual realm and robbing it of Divine influence.

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with indulgence and inebriation.” Through these words, our Savior underscores a consequence that warrants serious consideration – the harmful effects of excessive eating and drinking on the soul. The heart becomes burdened and hardened, the mind loses its lightness and spiritual essence, leading one to a state of carnality. What does it mean to be carnal? The term “carnal” in Holy Scripture refers to those who are captivated by earthly matters, lacking the capacity for spiritual understanding. “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh” (Gen. 6:3), God proclaimed. A carnal individual cannot honor God. Even the spiritual person, when ensnared by overindulgence, may forfeit their spiritual perception and ability to recognize and serve God. “Jacob was filled,” states the Scripture, referring to Jacob as a true servant of God. “And he was satiated, and he turned away from the Beloved. He became thickened and forsook God who made him and turned away from his Savior” (Deuteronomy 32:15). This is the condition that ascetics face when they stray from their fasting discipline. The weakness and gloom produced by excessive, indiscriminate consumption gradually infiltrate the heart, affecting the mind as well. Consequently, the eyes of the heart and mind grow dim; eternity becomes obscured, and earthly life appears infinite. Earthly wanderings are guided by transient thoughts and feelings, and the unfortunate wanderer, like a forsaken serpent, crawls on the ground, consuming dust throughout his earthly existence (Genesis 3:14). Abstaining from food and drink poses a serious risk of estrangement from Christ for His disciples. This impact of unrestrained indulgence explains why even in the state of innocence, amidst the pleasures of paradise, mankind required the command to fast. It was instituted to maintain the newly created being – composed of both physical and spiritual natures – in a state of spiritual awareness; to sustain the rightful dominance of the spiritual over the physical. Through fasting, one could remain continually focused on God, becoming impervious to the whims and distractions of vanity. The fasting command is even more vital for those who have fallen. The inclination toward earthly attachments, transient pleasures, and the temptation to sin are characteristic of fallen nature, echoing disordered desires and reactions typical of a disease. We find ourselves anchored to the earth, our entire being—soul and body—now wholly carnal, bereft of spiritual sensitivity and unable to contemplate heavenly matters. The command of fasting remains our foremost imperative. Only through fasting can we detach ourselves from earthly ties; only through fasting can we withstand the strong allure of worldly pleasures; only through fasting can we sever ties with sin; only through fasting can our spirits be liberated from the burdensome ties of the flesh; and only through fasting can our thoughts rise above earthly concerns to seek God. As we embrace the holy yoke of fasting, our spirits gain greater freedom, soaring towards the realm of the spirit, often turning toward the contemplation of God, immersing ourselves in this boundless and wondrous reflection. If material objects, illuminated by the sun’s rays, inherently draw from and radiate light, then how much more will our spirits shine when, having cast aside the dense shroud of carnality through fasting, they stand in the presence of the Sun of Truth—God? They become radiant and transformed! New divine thoughts spring forth, revealing mysteries previously hidden. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows the work of His hands” (Ps. 18:2); all of creation, both seen and unseen, loudly proclaims the unfathomable mercy of the Creator; one experiences in spirit and sees how “good is the Lord” (Ps. 33:9). The divine lightness and ethereal quality of the spirit influence the body, which, in harmony with the spirit, is drawn toward spiritual experiences, preferring the everlasting sustenance for which it was created over the transient dainties of this world. Initially, surrendering to the discipline of fasting is challenging; there may be resistance from the body due to its cravings and objections formed from misguided reasoning. However, once subdued and healed through fasting, the body begins to perceive and understand differently. Its reaction to excessive indulgence becomes akin to that of one recovering from an illness, realizing the dangers of harmful excess; its attitude mirrors that of a person discerning an obvious toxin that undermines the spirit’s mastery over flesh, reducing humanity from the likeness of an angel to that of the unseeing. Those who, through fasting, have triumphed over the flesh and approach the Lord seeking the profound mysteries and highest virtues receive from Him the insight concerning the great virtue of fasting and the gradual revelation of that state induced by excess: “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with indulgence and drunkenness.” The victorious are reminded to safeguard their victory weapons! Victory is gained, and the spoils of victory are retained through this same weapon—fasting. The ascetic of Christ, enlightened from above and nurtured through pious experience, recognizes the necessity not only to abstain from excess but also to exercise discernment in one’s choices of food. This discernment may seem trivial upon a cursory reflection, yet the nature of what we consume is distinctly important. In paradise, only the quality of food was prohibited. In our present, sorrowful existence on earth, we discover that a lack of discernment leads to far greater mental turmoil than excessive quantities. One should not assume that a single type of food has a unique effect on the mind or soul; every food type influences the blood, the brain, and the entire body, which in turn affects the spirit. Those who diligently monitor their fasting journey recognize the need to purge their bodies and souls from the habitual consumption of meat and fish, as they embrace the teachings of the holy Church regarding fasting. The Holy Fathers have termed fasting as the cornerstone of all virtues because it maintains the purity and temperance of the mind and the spiritual depth of the heart. To undermine the foundation of virtues is to jeopardize the entire structure. Brothers, let us pursue the path of sacred fasting with dedication and purpose. The sacrifices initially faced by our bodies due to the fasting statutes pale in comparison to the spiritual gains fasting offers. Let us, through fasting, distance ourselves from lavish and rich foods, and redirect our hearts away from earthly distractions and decay, from the profound forgetfulness that separates us from the eternity awaiting us. Let us strive in both spirit and body toward God! Let us be wary of the carnal state that arises from neglecting the fast, and let us recognize the profound inability to honor and know God sparked by disregarding this commandment. This destructive incapacity is the precursor to eternal demise. Such debilitating inability manifests in us when we allow our hearts to be “weighed down with indulgence and drunkenness.” Amen.

Just as in the days leading up to the flood, people were engaged in eating, drinking, and marrying—until the moment Noah entered the ark—oblivious to the impending peril, unaware until the flood swept them all away; so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man, characterized by the same negligence, indulgence, disbelief, and vice. The Lord continued, pointing out that due to the abruptness of that day, there may be two individuals working in the field: one will be taken, and the other left. Likewise, two women will be grinding grain: one will be taken, and the other left. In such unpredictability, it is vital for everyone to remain vigilant, so that one's heart is not burdened by excess or the distractions of worldly affairs. For that day will arrive unexpectedly—like a snare, it will capture all who live on the earth. Thus, everyone should conduct themselves as a homeowner would if he knew a thief was about to break in at an unknown hour. He would remain alert, ensuring his house is safeguarded. All the more reason we must stay awake, for the Son of Man will come at a moment they least anticipate.

In Mark's parable concerning the servants and the gatekeeper, the Lord illustrates Himself as a householder who departs and assigns various tasks to his servants, instructing the gatekeeper to remain vigilant. Each servant is expected to be diligent, and the gatekeeper must stay alert until the master arrives. Since the exact moment of the master’s return remains uncertain, they must remain watchful at all times to present themselves favorably when he reappears. Similarly, after establishing His church on earth, the Lord ascended to heaven, visibly leaving it behind while promising to return at an hour appointed by God. Every believer holds a unique role within the body of Christ, with a specific calling and duty required of them throughout their lives. As the timing of Christ's second coming, which will herald the final judgment when all will account for their deeds (including the moment of each person's death), remains unknown, it is imperative for believers to stay alert and prepared to welcome the Lord, the judge of the living and the dead.

Therefore, take heed of yourselves, so that your hearts do not become burdened with excess and anxiety over daily matters, lest that day unexpectedly finds you, for it will come like a snare upon all who dwell on the earth.

- "By surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life": this imagery draws from those who lived with disregard and sought worldly indulgences during the time of Noah, when they "ate, drank, married," and so forth; see Matthew 24:37-39.

This call to spiritual alertness transcends time and applies to all Christ's followers until the end of the age: “I say unto you, I say unto all, watch.” This command from the Lord is indeed paramount.

Be cautious, lest your hearts become burdened with excess and worldly distractions, for the day of His return may arrive unexpectedly, much like a trap that ensnares all who inhabit the earth: Therefore, remain watchful at all times, praying diligently so that you may be equipped to escape the tribulations that seek to ensnare you and to stand before the Son of Man. The Lord disclosed what is necessary for wisdom, instructing to guard against the prevalent tide of heedless indulgence.

As it was in the days of Noah, so will the coming of the Son of Man be: in the days leading to the Flood, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and living carelessly, up until the day Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the waters came and took everything away. Likewise, the arrival of the Son of Man will be. There will be two individuals in a field: one will be taken, and the other will be left; two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken, and one will be left. Earlier, the Lord had cautioned His disciples about the suddenness of His return for the dreadful judgment, indicating not just the time of night, but also the urgency of the moment. Reiterating this warning, He urged His devoted followers to remain perpetually and tirelessly vigilant in anticipation of the final day of the world: “Watch ye, for ye know not what hour your Lord will come.”

To further clarify the necessity of vigilance while awaiting His return and the dire consequences of neglecting one's soul, the Lord referenced the parable of the servants waiting for their master's arrival, a teaching He had shared previously.