ACC ~ John 14 v19

CONSTRICTING THE HEART WITH WORLDLY THINGS

GREGORY THE GREAT: This other Consoler of humanity, who himself is invisible, inflames each person that he has filled so that he too longs after invisible things. And because worldly hearts are only focused on what is seen, they do not receive him because their minds are not elevated to what is unseen. As secular minds broaden their horizons by focusing on the outward things [of this world], they constrict the ability of the arteries of the heart to admit the Spirit. MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 5.28.50. [1]

[1] LF 18:279*. See also Bede Homilies on the Gospels 2.17 (CS 111:166).

THE FEEBLE NATURE OF THE WORLD

BASIL THE GREAT: [Jesus] applied the word world to those who, being bound by this material and carnal life and beholding the truth by material sight alone, were ordained through their unbelief in the resurrection to see our Lord no more with the eyes of the heart. … For the carnal person who has never trained his mind for contemplation but rather keeps it buried deep in the lust of the flesh, as in mud, is powerless to look up to the spiritual light of the truth. ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 8:34.

BEHOLDING CHRIST’S BEAUTY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Those who love evil in the world will go down to Hades and be banished from the presence of Christ. However, the lovers of virtue who have kept inviolate the earnest of the Spirit will be with him and dwell with him. And being with him surely they shall also behold his divine beauty without any hindrance. For he says, “the Lord shall be your eternal light and God shall be your glory.” [1] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9.1. [2]

[1] See Is 60:19.

[2] LF 48:310**.

FIRST JESUS’ RESURRECTION, THEN OURS

AUGUSTINE: But why does he speak of life as present to him and future to them? Because his resurrection preceded, and theirs was to follow. His resurrection was about to take place so soon that he speaks of it as present, theirs being deferred till the end of the world. He does not say “you live” but “you shall live.” … Because he lives, therefore we shall live: “As by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 75.3. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 15:21.

[2] NPNF 1 7:336**; CCL 36:516.

THE DISCIPLES WILL SEE JESUS AGAIN

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: The world, that is, all the other people, sees me for a short time only, but you will see me again after my resurrection so that this vision of yours may testify that I am living again. And you will not only see me living, but the same thing will happen to you. When you also resurrect at the right time after your death, you will live and will participate in a second life. He does not say, “because I live” casually, that is, you will see me because I live. But he means You will witness the fact that I am alive, and by seeing it you will know that I resurrected from the dead and live and that I did not remain subject to death, as many believe. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6.14.18-19. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:264.