ACC ~ Luke 9 v23 - 27

OVERVIEW:

The scandal of the cross is first mentioned in connection with disciples following Jesus. The cross embraces the entire passion of Jesus on our behalf (JEROME). To bear the cross is to be ready to die for Christ, although the habits of life present major obstacles to accomplishing this. Such is the condition of those who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection (BASIL THE GREAT). For the saints, what proves hard and difficult is not to be feared but to be experienced as joy. Pleasures and riches recede, but righteousness delivers one from death. One who attempts to save his life now because he loves the world will lose it eternally because he will show that he is ashamed of the Son of man; one who loses his life now will save it eternally for the Son of man will not be ashamed of him when he comes in glory at the second coming. Blessings and rewards await those who are unashamed of Jesus and his words (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Those who eat the bread from heaven—Jesus Christ—will not taste death (AMBROSE).

9:23 | To Follow Jesus Requires Self-Denial

THE CROSS IS THE PASSION OF JESUS

JEROME: In truth, Christ came and made firm the human race that had been disturbed, so that it may not be moved for all eternity. His cross is the pillar of humankind; on this pillar he has built his house. When I say the cross, I am not thinking of the wood but of the passion. … Furthermore, what is the warning in the Gospel? “Unless you take up my cross, and daily follow me.” Mark what it says: Unless your soul has been made as ready for the cross as mine was for you, you cannot be my disciples. HOMILY ON PSALM 95 (96). [1]

[1] FC 48:188.

HABITS OF LIFE A MAJOR IMPEDIMENT

BASIL THE GREAT: For we must deny ourselves and take up the cross of Christ and thus follow him. Now self-denial involves the entire forgetfulness of the past and surrender of one’s will—surrender which it is very difficult, not to say quite impossible, to achieve while living in the promiscuity customary in the world. And in addition, the social intercourse demanded by such a life is even an obstacle to taking up one’s cross and following Christ. Readiness to die for Christ, the mortification of one’s members on this earth, preparedness for every danger which might befall us on behalf of Christ’s name, detachment from this life—this it is to take up one’s cross; and we regard the obstacles springing from the habits of life in society as major impediments thereto. THE LONG RULES. [1]

[1] FC 9:246-47.

TO BEAR THE CROSS IS TO BE BAPTIZED

BASIL THE GREAT: It is necessary, therefore, to receive instruction before baptism, having first removed any impediment to learning and so making ourselves fit to receive the instruction. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself confirms this assertion by his example and also by the formal injunction: “So every one of you that does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple;” [1] and … by the definitive declaration: “He that takes not up his cross daily and follows me is not worthy of me.” … And then we are ready for the baptism of water, which is a type of the cross and of death, burial and resurrection from the dead. …

Whoever, therefore, is worthy to be baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit and who has been born anew undergoes a change of abode, habits and associates, so that, walking by the Spirit we may merit to be baptized in the name of the Son and to put on Christ. CONCERNING BAPTISM. [2]

[1] Lk 14:33.

[2] FC 9:383-85.

9:24-25 | Saving and Losing Life

WHAT PROVES HARD GIVES JOY TO THE SAINTS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What fear, therefore, can the saints now feel, if that which seemed to be hard proves rather joyous to them that bear it. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 50. [1]

[1] CGSL 224.

RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERS FROM DEATH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Even though one has wealth and abundance of possessions, yet what profit has he from them when he has lost himself? Treasures profit not the wicked, but the fashion of this world passes away; and like clouds those pleasures recede, and riches fly away from those that possess them. But righteousness delivers from death. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 50. [1]

[1] CGSL 224.

9:26 | To Lose One’s Life at the Second Coming

REWARD AND BLESSINGS FOR THOSE UNASHAMED

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Those who are ashamed at him and at his words will meet with the reward they merit. …

He also begets in them fear as well, in that he says that he shall descend from heaven, not in his former lowliness and humiliation, like unto us, but in the glory of his Father; even in godlike and transcendent glory, with the holy angels keeping guard around him. Most miserable, therefore, and ruinous would it be to be condemned of cowardice and indolence when the Judge has descended from above and the angelic ranks stand at his side. But great and most blessed and a foretaste of final blessedness it is to be able to rejoice in labors already accomplished and await the recompense of past toils. For such as these shall be praised, Christ himself saying unto them, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” [1] May we also be deemed worthy of these rewards by the grace and lovingkindness of Christ the Savior of us all. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 50. [2]

[1] Mt 25:34.

[2] CGSL 224-25*.

9:27 | Seeing the Kingdom of God

THOSE WHO EAT THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN

AMBROSE: Thus, if we wish not to fear death, let us stand where Christ is, so that he may say of us too, “There are some standing here that shall not taste death.” It is not enough to stand unless the standing is where Christ is, for only those who can stand with Christ cannot taste death. It is therein lawful through the quality of the very word to ponder that those who are seen to have deserved the fellowship with Christ will not have even the perception of death. Surely the death of the body may be tasted by dedication; the life of the soul may be held by possession.

But what is it to taste death? Unless, perhaps, bread may be death, just as bread is life? For there are those who eat the bread of sorrow; [1] there are also the Ethiopian peoples who received the dragon as food. [2] May it be far from us to devour the dragon’s poison, for we have the true Bread, that Bread which came down from heaven. [3] He who keeps what is written eats that Bread. Thus there are those who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.2-3. [4]

[1] Ps 126:3 LXX.

[2] Ps 74:13-14 (73:13-14 LXX).

[3] Jn 6:51.

[4] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL