ACC ~ John 14 v21

LOVE OF GOD LEAVES LOVE OF THE WORLD BEHIND

MARK THE HERMIT: Do you see how [Jesus] has hidden his manifestation in the commandments? Of all the commandments, therefore, the most comprehensive is to love God and our neighbor. This love is made firm through abstaining from material things and through stillness of thoughts.

Knowing this, the Lord enjoins us “not to be anxious about tomorrow,” [1] and rightly so. For if someone has not freed himself from material things and from concern about them, how can he be freed from evil thoughts? And if he is beset by evil thoughts, how can he see the reality of the sin concealed behind them? This sin wraps the soul in darkness and obscurity and increases its hold on us through our evil thoughts and actions. The devil initiates the whole process by testing a person with a provocation that the person is not compelled to accept. But the one urged on by self-indulgence and self-esteem begins to entertain this provocation with enjoyment. Even if their discrimination tells them to reject it, yet in practice they take pleasure in it and accept it. If someone has not perceived this general process of sinning, when will he pray about it and be cleansed from it? And if he has not been cleansed, how will he find purity of nature? And if he has not found this, how will he behold the inner dwelling place of Christ? For we are a dwelling place of God, according to the words of prophet, evangelist and apostle. [2] NO RIGHTEOUSNESS BY WORKS 223-24. [3]

[1] Mt 6:34.

[2] See Zech 2:10; Jn 14:23; 1 Cor 3:16; Heb 3:6.

[3] TP 1:145*.

NOT ALL WILL RECEIVE AN ETERNAL REWARD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Jesus has added the qualification “he who loves me,” clearly showing that none other than those who have chosen to live most righteously will be allowed to choose such an incomparable grace, for they are the ones who love him. While it is true that Christ raises the bodies of all—for there will be a resurrection of the evil and the good alike—a new life of glory and happiness will not be given to all without distinction. For it is clear that some only rise again to punishment and will have a life worse than any death, while others … will live a desirable and holy life in Christ. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10. [1]

[1] LF 48:324-25**.

A VISION OF THE SON FOR THE FAITHFUL

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Whoever loves me and keeps my commandments will enjoy my love and that of the Father and will obtain in addition a vision of who I really am. They will not be disadvantaged by the fact that they did not see me in body. Indeed, they will also enjoy that vision at the appropriate time as well when they see me coming down from heaven. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6.14.21. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:275.

THE KING IN ALL HIS BEAUTY

BEDE: Even now the Son loves those who love him and the Father. But he loves them now so that they may live properly as a result of their faith, which works through love. Then (in the future), he will love them as well, but in such a way that they may come to the vision of the truth of which they only had a taste through faith. When he adds, “I will show myself to him,” he will indeed show himself to all human beings but will show his very own being only to the elect. At the judgment even the damned will see Christ, [1] but only the just will see the king in all his beauty. [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.17. [3]

[1] See Zech 12:10.

[2] Is 33:17.

[3] CS 111:169-70*.