ACC ~ Matthew 24 v30

ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: “Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” The Jews will mourn because they will see him living and enlivening whom they thought to be dead. Convicted by the wounds on his body, they will be unable to deny their crime. The Gentiles will mourn because they were deceived by the vain arguments of the philosophers into thinking it irrational foolishness to worship a crucified God and to attribute the glory of the Creator to a creature. Sinful Christians who loved the world more than they loved Christ will also mourn when they hear him say to them, “I was made man on your account. It is because of you that I was arrested, mocked, beaten and crucified. Where is the fruit of these great injuries I suffered? Consider that the salvation of your souls came at the price of my blood. Where is the service you owe me in return for this? I who am God valued you above my own glory when I became a man. You, however, consider me to be of less worth than anything else you possess. You love the most menial things of the earth more than you love my righteousness and faithfulness.” And heretics who say that a mere man was crucified will mourn when they see him whom the Jews pierced return as judge. HOMILY 49. [1]

[1] PG 56:919.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE SON OF MAN

CHRYSOSTOM: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.” The cross will be brighter than the sun. The sun will be darkened and hide itself. The sun will appear at times when it would not normally appear. But why is this sign given? In order that the brazenness of the Jews might be more abundantly silenced. For having the cross as the greatest plea, the Son of man thus comes to that judgment seat, showing not only his wounds but also the reproach of his death. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 76.3. [1]

[1] PG 58:698; NPNF 1 10:459.