ACC ~ John 16 v24
ENJOYING GOD IN THE TRINITY
AUGUSTINE: Our fullness of joyâand there is nothing greater than thisâis to enjoy God in the Trinity, in the image of whom we are made. ON THE TRINITY 1.8.18. [1]
[1] NPNF 1 3:26**.
ASK FOR WHAT CAN SATISFY
AUGUSTINE: So what should we pray for? âAsk in my name.â And he did not say what for, but in his words we can understand what we ought to ask for. âAsk, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.â Ask, and you will receive, in my name. But what? Not nothing. What though? âThat your joy may be full,â which means, ask for what can finally satisfy you. Because sometimes you ask for nothing. âWhoever drinks of this water will be thirsty again.â [1] You lower the bucket of greed into the well, you pull up something to drink, and you will again be thirsty. âAsk, so that your joy may be full,â that is, so that you may be permanently satisfied, not just so as to enjoy yourselves for a time. Ask for what can satisfy you. Utter Philipâs words, âLord, show us the Father, and that suffices us.â The Lord says to you, âHave I been with you such a long time, and you do not know me? Philip, whoever sees me also sees the Father.â [2] So give thanks to Christ who took our humanity to himself for you in your weakness. And get your stomachs ready to be satisfied with Christâs divinity. SERMON 145.6. [3]
[1] Jn 4:13.
[2] Jn 14:8-9.
[3] WSA 3 4:441.
PRAYER IN CHRISTâS NAME
CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He urges the disciples to seek for spiritual gifts and at the same time gives them confidence that, if they ask for them, they will not fail to obtain them. He adds the word Amen, that he might confirm their belief that if they ask the Father for anything they would receive it from him. He would act as their mediator and make known their request and, being one with the Father, grant it. For this is what he means by âin my name.â For we cannot draw near to God the Father in any other way than through the Son. For it is by him that we have access in the one Spirit to the Father. [1] It was because of this that he said, âI am the door. I am the way. No one comes to the Father but by me.â [2] For as the Son is God, he being one with the Father provides good things for his sanctified people and is found to be generous of his wealth to us. ⌠Let us then offer our prayers in Christâs name. For in this way, the Father will most readily consent to them and grant his graces to those who seek them, that receiving them we may rejoice. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.2. [3]
[1] See Eph 2:8.
[2] Jn 10:7; 14:6.
[3] LF 48:465-66**.
AN EXAMPLE OF PROVISION FOR THE HALCYON
BASIL THE GREAT: We should give thanks to God for the good things he gives us and not bear it with bad grace because he measures his giving. Should he grant us to be in union with him, this we shall receive as a most perfect and joyful gift. Should he delay this, let us suffer the loss in patience since he disposes of our lives more perfectly than we could ever order them.
The halcyon is a sea bird that nests by the shore, laying its eggs in the sand and bringing forth its young in the middle of winter when the sea beats violent and frequent storms. But during the seven days while the halcyon broodsâfor it takes but seven days to hatch its youngâall winds sink to rest and the sea grows calm. And as it then is in need of food for its young ones, the most bountiful God grants this little creature another seven days of calm so that it may feed its young. Since all sailors know of this, they give this time the name of the halcyon days.
These things are ordered by the providence of God for the creatures that are without reason so that you may be led to seek of God the things you need for your salvation. And when for this small bird he holds back the great and fearful sea and bids it be calm in winter, what will he not do for you made in his own image? And if he should so tenderly cherish the halcyon, how much more will he not give you [what you need] when you call on him with your heart? SERMON 9.5, ON PRAYER. [1]
[1] PG 32:1244.
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