ACC ~ Luke 22 v1 - 6

SATAN INITIATES THE PLOT OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Let us see the course of the devil’s spite and the result of his crafty plans against Christ. The devil had implanted in the leaders of the Jewish synagogue envy against Christ, which even leads to murder. This disorder always leads, so to speak, to the guilt of murder. At least, this is the natural course of this vice. It was this way with Cain and Abel, and it clearly was so in the case of Joseph and his brothers. The divine Paul also very clearly makes these sins neighbors and relatives of one another. He spoke of some as full of envy and murder. [1] The Jewish leaders sought to murder Jesus at the instigation of Satan, who had implanted this wickedness in them and who was their captain in their wicked projects. Satan is himself the inventor of murder, the root of sin and the fountain of all wickedness. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 140. [2]

[1] Rom 1:29.

[2] CGSL 562**.

SATAN ENTERED JUDAS BECAUSE OF HIS BESETTING SIN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What was this many-headed serpent’s invention? It says, “He entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.” Why did he not rather enter blessed Peter, James, John, or some other of the rest of the apostles? Why Judas Iscariot? What did Satan find in him? Satan could not approach any of those we have mentioned here, because their heart was steadfast and their love to Christ immovable. There was a place for Satan in the traitor. The bitter disease of greed, which the blessed Paul says is the root of all evil, [1] had overpowered him. Satan is crafty in working evil. Whenever he gains possession of anyone’s soul, he does not attack him by means of general vice. He rather searches for that particular passion that has power over him and by its means makes him his prey. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 140. [2]

[1] 1 Tim 6:10.

[2] CGSL 562**.

BETRAYAL BY A COVETOUS JUDAS WITH CONSECRATED MONEY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Judas lost heaven for a little silver. He missed the crown of immortality and the desirable honor of the apostleship. He missed to be numbered among the Twelve to whom Christ somewhere said, “You are the light of the world.” [1] He did not care to be a light of the world. He forgot Christ, who says, “You who have followed me in my temptations, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.” [2] Judas did not want to reign with Christ. What a confusion of error blinded the mind of that greedy man! The Evangelist says, “Satan entered him.” His pathway and door was the passion of greed. “There is great gain in godliness with contentment.” [3] The sacred Scripture says, “We neither brought anything into the world, nor can we carry anything out.” [4] Those who seek to be rich, fall into numerous and unprofitable lusts, which sink people in pitfalls and destruction. The disciple who became a traitor is a clear proof of this, because he perished for the sake of a few miserable coins. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 140. [5]

[1] Mt 5:14.

[2] Mt 19:28.

[3] 1 Tim 6:6.

[4] 1 Tim 6:7; cf. Job 1:21.

[5] CGSL 562-63**.

THE PATTERN OF PROLIFERATION OF SIN

ORIGEN: Jesus Christ our Savior has been crucified. The author of this crime and father of this wickedness is, without doubt, the devil. It is written: “When, however, the devil had entered the heart of Judas Iscariot that he should betray him.” The devil is the father of sin. He fathered Judas as his first son in this wickedness, but Judas alone could not execute the betrayal. What then is written? “Judas departed,” Scripture says, “to the scribes and Pharisees and chief priests and said to them: ‘What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you?’” [1] The third and fourth generation of sin was born from Judas. HOMILIES ON EXODUS 8.6. [2]

[1] Mt 26:14-15; Mk 14:10-11.

[2] FC 71:330*.