ACC ~ Matthew 10 v39

ONE WHO LOSES LIFE WILL FIND IT

HILARY: Here the stated doctrine and its meaning run along the same course. After he commands us to abandon everything that is most valuable in earthly life, he adds, “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” This is because those who belong to Christ have crucified their bodies with their sinful practices and pleasures. We are unworthy of Christ if we do not take up our own cross, by which we suffer, die and are buried and resurrected together with him. Only by this pledge of faith in the Spirit will he triumph in new life in us.

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” [1] This obviously means that through the power of the Word and separation from our old vices, we will receive spiritual profit in death and a fine exacted against our life. Therefore we must accept death in the reformation of our life. We are to fashion our vicious selves on the model of our Lord’s cross, and we are to cling to an open profession of glory, even against persecutors and with disregard of things present. ON MATTHEW 10.25-26. [2]

[1] Mt 10:39; Mk 8:35; Jn 12:25.

[2] SC 254:246-48.

APPROPRIATE LOVE

CHRYSOSTOM: See how great is the impairment to those who have an exaggerated love for their own life. And how great is the blessing to those who are ready to give up their lives for a well-ordered love! So he bids his disciples to be willing to give up parents, children, natural relationships, kinships, the world and even their own lives. How onerous are these injunctions! But then he immediately sets forth the greater blessings of rightly ordered love. Thus these instructions, Jesus says, are so far from harming that they in fact are of greatest benefit. It is their opposites that injure. He then counsels them, as he so often does, in accord with the very desires that they already possess. Why should you be willing to give up your life? Only because you love it inordinately. So for the very reason of loving it ordinately, you will scorn loving it inordinately, and so it will be to your advantage to the highest degree. You will then in the truest sense love your life.

Jesus does not reason in this way only in the case of the love of parents or children. He teaches the same with regard to your very life, which is nearest to you of all. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 35.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:407-8; NPNF 1 10:234**.

ONE WHO FINDS LIFE WILL LOSE IT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Here Jesus calls the departure of life from the body the “loss of life,” speaking figuratively. “He who finds his life” [1] refers to anyone who too highly values transitory existence and as it were sells it at a profit. He will face the hands of death when he is sent to unremittable punishment and death. FRAGMENT 128. [2]

[1] Mt 10:39; Mk 8:35; Jn 12:25.

[2] MKGK 194.