ACC ~ John 16 v6

PARALYZING GRIEF

CHRYSOSTOM: Great is the tyranny of despondency. We need great courage in order to stand strong against it and, after gathering from it what is useful, to let go of what is superfluous. And so, it has a purpose at times. When we ourselves or others sin, that is a good time to grieve. But when we fall into human difficulties, then despondency is useless. And now when it has overthrown the disciples, who were not yet perfect, see how Christ raises them again by his rebuke. They who before this had asked him ten thousand questions [1] … —these men, I say, now hearing, “they will put you out of the synagogues” and “will hate you” and “whoever kills you will think that he does God’s service”—were so cast down as to be struck dumb, so that they say nothing to him. And so he reproaches them and says, “These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.” Immoderate sorrow is a horrible thing, dreadful and even deadly, as Paul said, “Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up by too much sorrow.” [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 78.1. [3]

[1] See Jn 13:36; 14:5, 8.

[2] 2 Cor 2:7.

[3] NPNF 1 14:286**.

AFRAID OF LOSING JESUS’ OUTWARD PRESENCE

AUGUSTINE: Or, whereas they had asked him before where he was going and he had replied that he was going where they would not come, now he promises that he will go in such a way that no one will ask him where he goes. For a cloud received him [in broad daylight]. When he ascended up to heaven, they questioned him not in words but followed with their eyes. [1] … But our Lord saw what effect his words would produce on their minds. Not having yet that inward consolation that the Holy Spirit was to impart, they were afraid to lose the outward presence of Christ. And so, when they could no longer doubt from his own words that they were going to lose him, their human affections were saddened by the loss of their visible object. But he knew that it would be for their good because that inward sight that the Holy Spirit would use to console them was the better sight. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 94.3-4. [2]

[1] Acts 1:9-11.

[2] NPNF 1 7:367**; CCL 36:563.

ABSENCE CREATES FAITH

AUGUSTINE: So since we could in no way enjoy this blessing of not seeing and yet believing, unless we had received it from the Holy Spirit, it was very properly said, “It is to your advantage that I should go. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I do go away, I will send him to you.” [1] In his divinity, of course, he is always with us. But unless he went away from us in the body, we would always be able to see his body in the flesh and would never believe in a spiritual way. And that is the only kind of faith by which we can be justified and made blessed and earn the right to contemplate this very Word who is God with God, through whom all things were made and who became flesh in order to dwell among us. SERMON 143.4. [2]

[1] Jn 16:7.

[2] WSA 3 4:427; PL 38:786.