ACC ~ Luke 22 v21 - 27

OVERVIEW:

The unholy communion of Judas is clearly recorded by Luke as taking place after Jesus distributes the sacrament of his body and blood (AUGUSTINE). The bread that Judas receives may not be the body of Christ but the bread dipped into the dish to mark him as the betrayer, as St. John records [1] (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). Satan is using the disciples’ pride to create this dispute among them. Jesus, who is equal to the Father, now takes a servant’s place. The normal practice of ignorant sinners is to seek to be the greatest and lord it over each other. Jesus warns us not to be like the Gentiles, who flatter their superiors and appeal to their pride, in order to achieve status (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

[1] Jn 13:26.

22:21-23 | A Word About the Betrayer

THE UNHOLY COMMUNION OF JUDAS

AUGUSTINE: Some who read carelessly ask if Judas received Christ’s body. Understand that the Lord had already distributed the sacrament of his body and blood to all of them when Judas himself also was there, as holy Luke most clearly tells us. After that came this event where, according to John’s narrative, the Lord most openly exposes his traitor through the morsel dipped and offered, perhaps signifying through the dipping of the bread that man’s pretense. Not everything that is dipped is washed, but some are dipped to be dyed. If the dipping here signifies something good, then damnation rightly followed the one ungrateful for this good.

When the bread entered the stomach, the enemy entered the mind of the ungrateful man. Judas was not possessed by the Lord but by the devil. The full effect of so great an evil already conceived in the heart still awaited completion; the damnable intention to do it had already been effected. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.3-4. [1]

[1] FC 90:38-39**.

JUDAS SEPARATED FROM THE APOSTLES

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: It is certain that when the Lord gave the bread to his disciples, he gave them the mystery of his body. One must also then believe that when he gave the bread to his murderer, he gave it to him as the mystery of his murdered body. He dipped it to reveal the total participation of Judas in his death, [1] for his body was destined to be dipped in his blood. He may also have dipped it to give the testament with him. He moistened it and then gave it to him. He moistened it first because it had been prepared for the testament that was to follow.

Judas’ greed judged and separated him from the perfect members of the Lord, as the Life-giver showed in his gentle teaching. [2] Judas was not a member of the body of his church. He was only the dust that stuck to the feet of the disciples. [3] On the night when the Lord judged and separated him from the others, he washed the mud from their feet to teach them. He taught them that he washed Judas from the feet of the disciples with water, like manure suitable for burning. Judas was considered as the feet of the body, since he was the last of the twelve apostles. Likewise, the Lord separated Judas from the apostles by means of the water when he dipped the bread in the water and gave it to him. Judas was not worthy of the bread which, together with the wine, was given to the Twelve. It would not have been permissible for the very one who was going to hand the Lord over to death to receive that which would save him from death. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 19.3. [4]

[1] Jn 13:26.

[2] See Jn 6:70; 13:18-19, 21-30.

[3] See Mt 10:14.

[4] ECTD 284**.

22:24-27 | A Call to Humble Service

SATAN USES THE DISCIPLES’ PRIDE TO CREATE A DISPUTE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “Awake and watch” [1] is one of the holy apostles’ summons to us. The net of sin is spread everywhere, and Satan makes us his prey in different ways. He grabs hold of us by many passions and leads us on to a condemned mind. … The disciples had given in to human weakness and were arguing with one another about who was the leader and superior of the rest. Perhaps those who held the second rank among them were not willing to give way to those who held the first. This happened, and it was recorded for our benefit. What happened to the holy apostles may prove an incentive for humility in us. Christ immediately rebukes the sickness. Like a vigorous physician, he uses an earnest and deep-reaching commandment to cut away the passion that sprang up among them. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 143. [2]

[1] 1 Thess 5:6.

[2] CGSL 572**.

CHRIST TAKES A SERVANT’S PLACE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: In the passage that has just been read, Christ says, “For which is the chief, he that reclines at table, or he that serves? Is it not he that reclines? But I am in the midst of you as he that serves.” When Christ says this, who can be so obstinate and unyielding as not to put away all pride and banish from his mind the love of empty honor? Christ is ministered to by the whole creation of rational and holy beings. He is praised by the seraphim. He is tended by the services of the universe. He is the equal of God the Father in his throne and kingdom. Taking a servant’s place, he washed the holy apostles’ feet. In another way, Jesus holds the post of service, because of the appointed time in the flesh. Blessed Paul witnesses to this. He writes, “I say that Christ was a minister of the circumcision to fulfill the promises of the fathers, and the Gentiles will praise God for mercy.” [1] He who is ministered to became a minister. The Lord of glory made himself poor, leaving us an example, [2] as it is written. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 143. [3]

[1] Rom 15:8.

[2] 2 Pet 2:21.

[3] CGSL 573**.

DO NOT FOLLOW THE GENTILES

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Let us avoid the love of pride and deliver ourselves from the blame attached to the desire for leadership. To act this way makes us like Christ, who submitted to empty himself for our sakes. Arrogance and haughtiness of mind make us plainly resemble the princes of the Gentiles, who always love to act arrogantly. It may even be fitting in their case. “They are called,” he says, “benefactors that are flattered as such by their inferiors.” Let them be like this. They are not within the pale of the sacred laws or obedient to the Lord’s will. They are the victims of these afflictions. It should not be so with us. Let our exaltation rather consist in humility and our glorying in not loving glory. Let our desire be for those things that please God, while we keep in mind what the wise man says to us, “The greater you are, humble yourself the more, and you will find grace before the Lord.” [1] He rejects the proud and counts the boastful as his enemies but crowns with honors the meek and lowly in mind. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 143. [2]

[1] Sir 3:18.

[2] CGSL 573**.