The models of godliness are set before us on all sides, [the apostle] is saying in such vast numbers as to resemble a cloud in density and testify to the power of faith. Accordingly, let us keep our eyes on them, being light on our feet and rid ourselves of the burden of unnecessary worries, in this way being able also to avoid sin that is easy to contract. Before everything else we need perseverance to succeed in the course ahead of us. He said sin "clings" because it is easily contracted and committed: the eye is fascinated, the ear charmed, touch titillated ,tongue easily loosened and thought quickly directed to the worst. (Theodoret of Cyr)

 

 Scripture tells us that for the sake of the joy that lay ahead of him Christ endured the Cross thinking nothing of the shame of it. What exactly is meant by thinking nothing of the shame? The simple fact, as Saint Paul says, that Christ chose an ignominious death, that he chose it in full freedom because he was not subject to sin. By so doing Christ has taught us to face disgrace boldly and make light of it Let me remind you of the goal he achieved: he has taken his seat at the right hand of God. You see the prize to be won in this conflict. Therefore, whenever we ourselves have to suffer some disgrace, let us think of Christ, remembering that his whole life was filled with insults. He was continuously hearing himself called a madman, deceiver, and sorcerer, by the very people among whom he went about doing good, for whom he per­formed miracles, and to whom he revealed the works of God. (John Chrysostom)

 

When the Church declares someone to be a Saint, this is much more a necessary part of the Church’s realization of her own being…she must be able to state her holiness in the concrete. She must have a “cloud of witnesses” whom she can indicate by name. She cannot merely maintain that there is a history of salvation (without it being known exactly where it takes place with real, final success), but she must really relate that very eschatological history of salvation which she is herself. The prize of her actual Saints belongs to her innermost being and is not merely something which she “also” achieves “on the side,” something which has been inspired by a purely human need for hero worship. (Karl Rahner)

 

Come to our aid, Lord God,
that we may walk courageously in that love
of which your Son gave proof
when he handed himself over to death
out of love for the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Hebrews 12:7-12)

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children. ⁹ Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. ¹¹ All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,  ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Commentary

They who drink bitter medicines first submit to some unpleasantness and afterwards feel the benefit. For such is virtue, such is vice. In the latter, there is first the pleasure, then the despondency; in the former, first the despondency, and then the pleasure. But there is no equality; for it is not the same to be first grieved and afterwards pleased, and to be first pleased and afterwards grieved. How so? Because, in the latter case, the expectation of coming despondency makes the present pleasure less, but in the former the expectation of coming pleasure cuts away the violence of present despondency.  The result is that in the one instance, we never have pleasure; in the latter we never have grief. And the difference does not lie in this only, but also in other ways. As how? That the duration is not equal, but far greater and more ample. And here too, it is still more so in things spiritual.

From this [consideration] then Paul undertakes to console them and again takes up the common judgment of people, which no one is able to stand against or to contend with the common decision when one says what is acknowledged by all.

You are suffering, he says. For such is chastisement; such is its beginning. For “the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant." He said well, “seems.” Discipline,  he means, is not grievous but “seems” so. “All discipline": not this and that, but “all,” both  human and spiritual. Do you see that he argues from our common notions? “Seems painful," he says,  so that it is not really so. For what sort of pain brings forth joy? So neither does pleasure bring forth despondency. "To those," he says who have been trained by it." That is, to those who have endured for a long while and been patient. And he uses an auspicious expression; so then, discipline is exercise, making the athlete strong and invincible in combats, irresistible in conflicts.

Do not wonder if discipline, being itself hard, it has sweet fruits; since in trees also the bark is almost destitute of all quality, and rough; but the fruits are sweet…. Why, after you have endured the painful, are you despondent as to the good? The distasteful things which you had to endure, you endured.  Do not then become despondent when you are rewarded. 

He speaks as to runners and boxers, and warriors. Do you see how he arms them, how he encourages them? “Walk straight,” he says. Here he speaks with reference to their thoughts; that is to say, not doubting. For if the discipline be of love, if it begin from loving care, if it end with a good result (and this he proves both by facts and by words, and by all considerations), why are you dispirited? For such are they who despair, who are not strengthened by the hope of the future. “Walk straight,” he says, that your lameness may not be increased, but brought back to its former condition. For he that runs when he is lame, galls the sore place. Do you see that it is in our power to be thoroughly healed? (John Chrysostom)

Musical Selection (John Michael Talbot)

 

God of surpassing love,
you enrich us with every blessing;
grant that, by setting aside our former ways
for a life that is new,
we may be ready for the glory of your kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.