ACC ~ John 12 v35

LIVING ENSLAVED TO THE BODY

GREGORY OF NYSSA: The one who is stupid looks downward and hands his soul over to pleasures of the body, as cattle to pasture, living only for the stomach and the organs nearby, being alienated from the life of God. He is a stranger to the promise of the covenants, considering nothing else to be good than pleasing the body. This one, and everyone like him, is the one making his way “in darkness,” as the Scripture says. ON VIRGINITY 4. [1]

[1] FC 58:24-25.

CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THE DARKNESS CANNOT OVERCOME

AMBROSE: [In the] form of a servant the fullness of true light was there. And when the form emptied itself, there was the light. Then he said, “Walk while you have the light.” Even when he was in death, he was not in the shadow. … The true light of wisdom shone there as well. It illumined hell but was not shut up in hell. ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE INCARNATION OF OUR LORD 5.41. [1]

[1] CSEL 79:244; FC 44:234*.

WE WILL SEE THE LIGHT AGAIN

CHRYSOSTOM: He signifies that his death is a transition, [1] for the light of the sun is not destroyed, but having withdrawn for a while appears again. Then he says, “While you have the light,” but he does not say of what time he is talking about here. Is he speaking of the whole present life or of the time before the cross? I think both, for because of his ineffable love of humankind many even after the cross believed. He speaks these things to press them on to the faith. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 68.1. [2]

[1] Gk metastasis.

[2] NPNF 1 14:251**.