When reading the scriptures, I sometimes find myself perplexed about some of the phrases used to describe many important events.  One of these verses that has had a deep impact on my reflection and study of the Word of God is “Let the dead bury their dead.”  While the literal interpretation may appear at first to separate believers from non-believers, the spiritual understanding has a more profound meaning when viewed from an Orthodox mindset.  This verse appears twice in the Gospels.  In Mathew 8:22 “But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”  Also in Luke 9:60 “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."  We learn from the teachings of the Holy Fathers that in these particular verses the Lord is referring to the degree of love that we must have for God and although we must honor our parents, we must place all of our heart mind and soul on Him alone.  It was also evident in their writings that the father whom had passed away was in-fact the father of one of Christ’s disciples and was also an unbeliever.  Once one has given their lives to God, one should not look back, even if it is, in this case, your parents.  One only needs to remember Sodom and Gomorrah.

 Understanding this verse in its spiritual and patristic meaning, it was necessary for me to have a basic Orthodox understanding of the book of Genesis and of Orthodox Anthropology.  The reason I say this, is because their seems to be a parallel between Genesis 2:17 “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” and Matt 8:22 “…and let the dead bury their dead.”  Here’s a thought that comes to mind when contemplating the book of Genesis; “The serpent tells Eve that she shall not surely die, but that they would be as Gods, knowing both good and evil and that their “eyes” would be opened.  “What is the serpent implying when he says: “your eyes shall be opened” and “you shall not surely die?”  Is he then saying that their “spiritual eyes” the mind (nous) were closed to them prior to eating of the fruit?  Was he implying that they were eternal in the flesh and therefore would not “surely die physically?” 

 Looking at Orthodox Anthropology, we understand that Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness of God.  Adam, having a pure mind (nous) and a divine body,  was at that time in perfect contemplation with the Christ both with his mind (nous) and body acting according to its proper nature.  Before “sin” came to be, Adam and Eve’s material bodies had not yet been cursed.  And so, it would have also maintained a nature incorruptible according to the purity of the image of God in the creation of the mind (nous). It is said that when a reasonable mind (nous) acts contrary to its created nature, that is, willingly submits to vice or ignorance, it is “dead” and no longer “spiritually” alive, but when acting according to its nature, that is virtous, then it is said to be alive.  Having understood this, it would appear that the serpent, who is the father of lies, lied to Eve in stating “your eyes shall be opened”, when in-fact they were already opened in a spiritual sense and having submitted to carnal desires, their “spiritual eyes” (nous) were instead darkened thru the act of sin, and sin leads to death.  Spiritual death.  After that, the body was also cursed, and was given a nature in accordance to their darkened (nous)minds. 

 And so, this seems also to explain the verses I started off with.  “Let the Dead, those whose lives are governed by a willful choice of their own to participate then in what is unnatural to the nature of the soul or mind (nous) for which it was originally created to contemplate its creator.  Or, a willful choice to live according to ignorance and not bother in the least to enter into divine knowledge by learning the reasons and purpose of its very being.  “Bury their Dead… are then those who are living in likewise manner.  Understanding this verse in its metaphoric and spiritual sense has indeed opened my eyes to the nature and purpose of our existence.  Such a small verse yet, a very deep and powerful meaning. 

 I pray that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ thru His voluntary sufferings on the Holy Cross, may forgive me my many and varied sins by which I continue to drive the nails deeper into His Most Holy Wounds.  I pray O Master, that seeing my weaknesses and knowing my offenses, that Thou may ever strengthen me in the struggle against my adversaries and deep-rooted passions that hold me in bonds.  I pray that He may take pity on my miserable soul and grant me deliverance from these bonds, as unworthy as I am.  Grant, O Master, that I may ever remember always, even in my darkest moments, that Thou lovest us Thy children, even in our weakest moments.  Even so, may Thy Will be done in me.  For if I should dare to ask Thee to take these very burdens that Thou hast sent for my edification away, the very thing that benefits my desperate soul, I would be deceiving myself and robbing myself of the benefits that I have yet to understand.  Only grant me O Master, the Wisdom to understand, that which I cannot.  Open the eyes of my understanding that I may see what I do not.  Grant me the knowledge to know “Him” who dwells silently in my heart.  That I may learn to truly love Him and sin no more. 

 Amen.