Homily 51 #

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, a teaching of Saint John Chrysostom concerning the Passion of the Lord.

Beloved, the fast is now drawing to its end, and the days of the Lord’s Passion are soon approaching. For this reason, a word concerning His Passion is read, that we might prepare ourselves for it through good deeds—so that each one of us may be able to say, like the blessed David: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise”.

For after the Passion comes the Crucifixion, the Burial, and the Resurrection. And since we are still in the time of fasting, we ought to be pure, that we may worthily receive the Body and Blood of the Lord. For it is a dreadful thing to be called a Christian and not to partake of the Mysteries of Christ. Such a one is no better than an unbeliever, and like the Armenians—those who willfully neglect salvation and avoid communion.

Yet even worse is this: if someone commits murder, or fornication, or harbors anger against another, or does evil to someone, and without true repentance approaches to receive communion—he is guilty of judgment and is like the Jews who crucified the Lord.

But if someone lives in purity and repentance, and yet does not receive the Mysteries of Christ, he cannot be saved. For the Lord Himself said: “He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56).

Now let us hear what the Evangelist says: “At that time, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside, and began to tell them what was about to happen to Him”—so that, having heard beforehand, they would not later be scandalized by His Passion, and so that they would understand He suffered willingly.

The Lord took His disciples apart and spoke to them privately, revealing to them the coming Passion. Though He spoke to them of sorrowful things, they found comfort in His Resurrection.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, saying, “Teacher, we ask that Thou would grant us what we request.” And He said to them, “What is it that you desire?” And they replied, “Grant that one of us may sit at Thy right hand and the other at Thy left in Thy glory.”

For they thought He was going to establish an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem, and that only afterward would He suffer—as He had said He would. Therefore, He said to them, “You know not what ye ask.” For they imagined the Kingdom to be earthly, but all such things are nothing.

“But to sit at My right hand or at My left,” He said, “is not Mine to grant”—for that surpasses even the ranks of the angelic powers. “You are striving for glory,” He implied, “but I go toward death. Can you drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

They did not understand what He was saying to them, imagining that He spoke of a physical cup and a baptism like that of the Jews. They said to Him, “We can.”

And Jesus replied, “You will indeed drink My cup and be baptized with My baptism. But to sit at My right and left hand is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.”

For no one shall sit at His right or left. And though Scripture speaks often of sitting, understand this to mean a greater honor, not a literal seat. And when He says, “It is not Mine to give,” know this: that the one who labors more shall receive the greater reward.

Thus also for you, sons of Zebedee—even if you suffer martyrdom for My sake—if someone else suffers likewise and also possesses other virtues, he shall surpass you. Do you think that simply because you are My disciples, you will automatically receive honor—if you yourselves are not worthy of it? Ye know not what ye ask.

And when the ten other disciples heard this, they were indignant with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.”

Such is the way of men—to seek dominion. But with Me, the first shall be last, and the last shall be first: “Whosoever would be great among you, let him be your servant. For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

If someone, even after hearing such humility and meekness from the Lord, remains hardened in pride and refuses to take on humility, that person shall be condemned with the demons.

Who has ever seen or heard of such teaching—that the One who lifts up the fallen and keeps those who stand from falling, humbled Himself to serve?

Indeed, our God is very merciful. He willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that all should come to repentance, and He desires that all be saved.

At that time, the disciples had not yet received the Holy Ghost, and so they reasoned as men, grumbling about the request of the two brothers. But later, they came to understand that he who serves is greater.

For on our behalf, sinners that we are, Christ our God willingly suffered, and endured the Passion and death for us. Let us also, brethren, embrace humility, that we too may be glorified—because the glory of God was made manifest through humility.

Let us not think highly of ourselves, O faithful; let us judge no one. Rather, let us submit ourselves to our teachers—for, as the Apostle says, they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, in that fearful day of Christ’s coming.

Let us cast from ourselves envy and wrath, anger and slander. From all these let us fast, that we may be saved.

To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.