Homily 59. #

On Palm Sunday, the Triumphal Entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem to suffer willingly. A homily by St. John Chrysostom.

Just as we have now crossed the deep sea of the fast, let us, O faithful, undertake with even greater zeal the struggle of this week, and pass on from the miracles of the Lord to still greater wonders, now that we have been illumined by the raising of Lazarus. With Mary and Martha, let us offer Christ, our Master, honor and praise as He cometh, and, like the children with branches, let us cry out together with one voice: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord: God is the Lord, and hath shewed Himself unto us” (Psalm 117:26–27).

Tell us plainly, O prophet, who is this that cometh in the name of the Lord? Hearken, brethren, to the words of the prophet Isaiah, who speaketh of Him: “Behold, a Virgin shall conceive in her womb, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). He it is who came down from heaven, and for our sake became poor of His own will, that we through His poverty might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). He it is who was begotten of the Father before all ages, and in the last times was born of the Virgin God-bearer. He it is who raised up Lazarus from the dead, though four days buried. He it is who came willingly to His Passion in the name of the Lord.

But the wicked Jews, moved by envy, conspired against Him in the very place of His glory, plotting not only to kill Him, but also Lazarus, because many, for his sake, believed on the Lord.

Today the whole earth is filled with joy at His coming: it streweth His path with fragrant flowers and gathereth people in gladness. And we, having prepared the branches of the garden of virtue, let us cry aloud in song: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!”—the God of our fathers, who cometh to trample the devil, to destroy death, to break the kingdom of hades, and to free those held in its bonds!

For this cause He came willingly to His Passion, desiring by the Cross to destroy the tormentor, and to bring life to those who had died. That same Cross hath He given us as a weapon against the devil and against our enemies. For by making the sign of it, we utterly destroy all the devil’s deceit. And therefore we say: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!”

He came to save the fasters and to reward each according to their labor. “For in My Father’s house,” saith He, “are many mansions” (John 14:2), assigned to each according to their works. Let us not lose them for the sake of the short-lived pleasures of this life, which pass away like a shadow, and vanish as smoke.

The coming of Christ draweth near. Let us hasten, brethren, while yet we have time, lest the doors of repentance be shut—that is, lest death overtake us. Let us now flee to repentance, lest we hear that fearful answer: “Now, wretched man, dost thou repent, when there is no longer time for repentance?”

Therefore, beloved, let us in this life cast from us the habit of wrath, let us quench the devil’s hatred, let us forsake fraternal enmity. Let us be merciful and generous to those in need. For no one departeth from this world with wealth or glory, but only with their deeds. Riches and glory remain behind, while our body entereth the tomb, to be consumed by worms, and the bones are laid bare.

Let us then rouse ourselves, brethren, unto good works, and complete this season of fasting without negligence—for the crowns are always given at the end to those who labor. If one beginneth a work and doth not complete it, he shall be put to shame. Let us then finish well, that we may receive the full reward.

But if one abstaineth from bread, yet beareth anger, such a one is like a beast—for the beast also eateth not bread. If one refraineth from drink and meat, and sleepeth on the bare earth, yet harboreth malice and worketh injustice, let him not boast—for he is worse than the beasts, which have neither wrath nor envy nor do unrighteousness.

Rather, let us, O faithful, restrain our bodily desires, that we may be made like unto the angels. Behold, the Passion of Christ approacheth—His willing suffering on our behalf. Let us cleanse soul and body and mind, that we may be made worthy partakers of His divine Supper, crying out unto Him and saying: “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord,” who came willingly unto His Passion for our sake, and shall again come from heaven to judge the living and the dead—that is, the righteous and the sinners—and to render unto every man according to his works.

To our God be glory.