Homily 63 #

On Holy and Great Thursday, a homily of Saint John Chrysostom on the Holy Communion, that is, on partaking of the Body and Blood of the Lord, addressed to kings and princes and all Orthodox Christians.

When a king or prince comes to a city, the people of that city go out to meet him. In the same way, we ought to do likewise, for the Only-Begotten Son of God, co-eternal with the Father, comes down from heaven to mortal men. Today, He comes willingly to suffer His Passion for our salvation. And so we must meet Him with a pure conscience, and spiritually receive Him by partaking of His holy Mysteries.

Hear, all of you who wish to draw near today to the holy and awe-inspiring Mystery, and understand what you are seeking to receive—this Mystery that even the heavenly powers tremble before. The Cherubim and Seraphim, and all the angelic hosts, are filled with awe as they lift up a spiritual offering to God. Representing them, the priests stand before the holy and dreadful and wondrous Divine Table, upon which lies the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ—He Himself having given us this Mystery.

For on this very day, the Lord reclined at the supper with His twelve disciples. And taking bread, He blessed it, gave thanks to God the Father, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: “Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you, for the remission of sins.” Likewise, taking the cup, He said: “Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins.” Understand that He did not speak this only for the apostles, but for all who believe in Him.

After the supper, He took a towel, girded Himself, and began to wash the feet of the disciples—even the feet of the betrayer who was with them—so that no one could later claim that Judas betrayed Him because he had been excluded from the supper or denied the washing of his feet like the others. Oh, how great is the Lord’s humility and gentleness! The Lord served His servants, and though He knew who would betray Him, He did not say to him, “Depart, O betrayer!” In doing this, the Creator of all gave us an example: to have humility and gentleness.

When Judas went out to summon the Jews in order to betray the Lord, Christ at that moment gave many glorious teachings to the apostles. Likewise, we should, after receiving the Mysteries, fast and pray—first, so that we might be found worthy to receive them, and second, so that we do not dishonor them afterward. For it is dishonor when, on the very next day—or the second or third—we return to the same evils.

Just as someone with a weak stomach who eats wholesome food ends up ruining it and worsening his condition, so too with the holy Mysteries: if someone receives them unworthily—harboring sins such as envy, wrath, resentment, or unlawful lust—he will fall into worse torment.

We must therefore purify our minds and consciences before receiving the holy and most pure Mysteries. And if someone is defiled, he is not worthy to commune even on the feast days. As the Apostle Paul says: “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” Whoever receives Christ’s Mysteries carelessly gives place in himself to demons, just as Satan entered Judas the betrayer with the morsel of bread. But whoever receives the Mysteries of Christ with fear and humility, repenting, receives them for the remission of sins.

If anyone has grave sins—evil thefts, fornication, envy, wrath, or any other wickedness—and does not repent of these or accept penance, he is unworthy to partake of the holy Mysteries of Christ. But if someone receives them with godly fear, he shall be shown mercy. If someone receives them double-mindedly and with malice, he shall be condemned with Judas.

Therefore, beloved faithful, let us receive the Body and Blood of the Lord for the remission of sins, for the sanctification of our souls, and for everlasting life, so that we may be made companions of the apostles and be granted to dwell with them in joy. Let no one among you be malicious like Judas: for though he was at supper with Christ, he was already plotting to betray Him; though he dwelt with the apostles, he was slandering Christ to the Jews.

And let no one among you, brothers, receive the Body of Christ without discernment. For this is not merely bread and wine, but the true Body and Blood of the Lord. Since no man can eat raw flesh or drink blood, the Lord gave His Body in the form of bread, and His Blood in the form of wine. And not just any wine, but that which the priests consecrate in the Divine Liturgy as a bloodless and holy offering to God.

Because of this, brethren, we cannot approach unprepared. We must love one another with sincerity, not with hypocrisy. If any of you wishes to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, and yet you harbor anger against someone, first go and be reconciled, then receive communion. If you have quarreled with someone and have not forgiven him, or have not restrained your tongue from idle words, or have stirred up conflict between others, or have envied someone and not repented of it—do not approach the Holy Things. For it is not permitted for the unworthy even to look upon them, let alone to draw near.

Do not be like Judas, who, being unworthy, partook and fell into an incurable sickness, and became liable to eternal torment.

Let us then, beloved, rouse ourselves to virtue—cleansing ourselves through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—so that, having worthily received the Most Pure Mysteries, we may be found worthy to stand at the right hand of God’s throne, to obtain His mercy in this life, and to joyfully attain His Resurrection, glorifying Him together with the Father and the All-Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.