About the #Ascension of our Lord
Dear members of John's Repentance service, today is the day we celebrate the ascension of our Lord. The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is a profound and glorious event that holds immense significance for our faith and salvation. As we delve into this topic, let us explore the teachings of the early Church Fathers and contemplate the deep theological truths revealed through the Scriptures.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son, who became incarnate and took on our human nature, ascended to the right hand of the Father, as prophesied by King David. In Psalm 110:1, David declared, "God said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" This prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ, as the Epistle to the Hebrews affirms, "But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).
By sitting at the right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrates His divine nature and equality with the Father. It is crucial to understand that this exaltation does not imply any temporal or hierarchical subordination within the Trinity. Rather, it speaks to the profound mystery of the Incarnation, wherein the Son, while on Earth, willingly submitted Himself to the limitations of our human nature. Consequently, when Scripture speaks of Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, it emphasizes His return to His former glory, without any separation from His divinity.
The Incarnation of Christ signifies that the Word, without diminishing His fullness, assumed a human body and soul from the Holy Virgin Mary for the sake of our salvation. Likewise, His Ascension proclaims that, without separating from the fully united body and soul, Christ ascended in glory for our benefit. In the 24th chapter of Luke's Gospel, the venerable Saint Cyril of Alexandria, a steadfast pillar of our faith, elucidates this truth: "After blessing his disciples, he ascended into heaven and sat in his Father's house, not only in His divinity but also in His unified body." Through His Incarnation and Ascension, Christ united our fallen nature with His divine glory, granting us the possibility of sharing in His heavenly kingdom.
The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ should not be viewed as a mere physical act of sitting and rising, as befitting our human experience. Instead, it symbolizes the glorification of our human nature, once marred by sin and distanced from God's grace. Our Lord, by uniting our nature with His divinity, bestowed incomprehensible honor upon us. Ephesians 2:6 captures this beautifully, declaring, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
In the death and resurrection of our Lord, He conquered the power of death, wiping away the consequences of sin. Through His Ascension, our human nature, which was judged and condemned, is now elevated to sit in the presence of the Father. As Saint John the Baptist expounded, Christ offered His body as a sacrifice, serving as our High Priest, presenting Himself to the Father with His body and blood. The Father, in admiration, declared, "Sit at my right hand." The earth that we once were, destined to return to dust, now finds itself exalted beyond measure. Christ surpassed the ranks of angels, ascended above the cherubim, and attained a throne higher than the archangels. His ascent extended beyond mere elevation; it led Him to the throne of His eternal kingdom, where He reigns in glory.
About the Virtues of #Patience, #Humility, and #Contentment
In the depths of humanity's fallen state, when death entered the world, it did so through three grievous crimes: impatience, pride, and greed. Yet, through the grace of Christ, death was conquered by three great virtues, which we shall explore in depth. Drawing from the wisdom of the Orthodox tradition, we shall delve into the significance of patience, humility, and contentment, and their transformative power in the life of a believer.
Part 1: Impatience - Overcoming the Sinful Nature
Impatience, born from a restless spirit, is a formidable obstacle in the path of righteousness. As we reflect upon the events in the Garden of Eden, we witness the devastating consequences of haste. The serpent, the preacher of sin, whispered to Eve, stirring unease within her heart. Restlessness clouded her judgment, and she failed to investigate the serpent's deceitful words. Subsequently, Adam, who should have stood firm, was also swayed by impatience, leading both of them towards a tragic downfall.
Part 2: Humility - Embracing Obedience and Discernment
Pride, the first sin, is a perilous temptation that ensnares even the noblest of creatures. It is the root of disobedience and rebellion against God's established order. In the Garden of Eden, this sin manifested itself when Adam and Eve disregarded the fear of God and broke His commandment. The devil himself, consumed by pride, had no opportunity for repentance, succumbing to eternal damnation.
To counteract this destructive pride, we must embrace humility and obedience. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the epitome of humility, willingly submitted Himself to the cross, even unto death, to redeem us from the consequences of our disobedience. He obediently accepted the weight of our sins, showcasing that obedience is the path to true life. Just as a child obeys their parent, even to the point of sacrifice, Christ demonstrated obedience to remove the death sentence imposed upon us by our disobedience. In imitating Christ's obedience, we restore the image of God within us and find our way back to eternal communion with Him.
Part 3: Contentment - Overcoming Greed and Embracing Generosity
Greed, the insidious desire for more, separates us from the company of God and His heavenly angels. It distorts our perception, causing us to covet what is forbidden or unnecessary. In the Garden, Adam and Eve beheld the tree and its fruit, considering it beautiful and desirable only after the serpent planted the seed of greed within them.
Greed leads us down a treacherous path, where the devil entices us with false promises and desires. When we fail to find contentment in the grace bestowed upon us, death lurks nearby, ready to claim our lives. Yet, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, offers a powerful antidote. He, who did not even desire His own life, willingly sacrificed Himself for others. Even in death, He gave generously, making amends for the wrongs committed by greed. Our first father rushed to acquire what he lacked, driven by covetousness, while our second father willingly gave
His own wealth, even His flesh and blood, for our salvation. Through Christ, we learn to replace greed with generosity, finding fulfillment in selflessness and gratitude.