ACC ~ John 12 v26

IMITATION OF CHRIST IS SERVICE TO CHRIST

AUGUSTINE: Christ’s servants are those who look out for his things rather than their own. [1] “Let him follow me” means “Let him walk in my ways and not in his own,” as it is written elsewhere. [2] … For if he supplies food for the hungry, he should do so in the way of mercy, not to brag about it. He should be looking for nothing else there but to do good and not letting his left hand know what his right hand does. [3] In other words, any work of charity should be utterly devoid of any thought of “what’s in it for me.” The one who serves in this way serves Christ and will have it rightly said to him, “Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of those who are mine, you did it unto me.” [4] … And the one who serves Christ in this way will be honored by his Father with the peculiar honor of being with his Son and having nothing lacking in his happiness ever again. And so, when you hear the Lord saying, “Where I am, there shall also my servant be,” do not think merely of good bishops and clergy. But you yourselves should also serve Christ in your own way by good lives, by giving to the poor, by preaching his name and doctrine as best as you can too. Every father [or mother] … too will be filling an ecclesiastical and episcopal kind of office by serving Christ in their own homes when they serve their families so that they too may be with him forever. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 51.12-13. [5]

[1] See Phil 2:21.

[2] 1 Jn 2:6.

[3] See Mt 6:3.

[4] Mt 25:40.

[5] NPNF 1 7:286-87**; CCL 36:444-45.

PARTNERS WITH CHRIST IN MINISTRY

JOHN CASSIAN: Everyone who lives in this body knows that he must be committed to that special task or ministry to which he has given himself in this life as a participant and a laborer, and he ought not to doubt that in that everlasting age he will also be the partner of him whose servant and companion he now wishes to be, according to what the Lord says, “If anyone serves me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” For just as the kingdom of the devil is gained by deceiving people with vices, so the kingdom of God is possessed in purity of heart and spiritual knowledge by practicing the virtues. And where the kingdom of God is, there without a doubt is eternal life, and where the kingdom of the devil is, there—it is not to be doubted—are death and hell. Whoever is there cannot praise the Lord. CONFERENCE 1.14.1-2. [1]

[1] ACW 57:52*.

THE PATH TO DIVINE GLORY LEADS TO GOD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Since the author of our salvation did not travel by the path of glory and luxury but by that of dishonor and hardships, we must do the same thing without complaining if we are to reach the same destination and share in the divine glory. But what honor shall we receive if we refuse to endure sufferings like those of our Master? … The one who does things pleasing to God serves Christ, but the one who follows his own wishes is a follower of himself and not of God. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8. [1]

[1] LF 48:149-50*.

VALUING THE FATHER MORE THAN CHRIST

CHRYSOSTOM: Why didn’t he say that the Father will honor “me”? Because at that time they did not have the proper opinion of him but held a higher opinion of the Father. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 67.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:248**.