Forefeast of the Entrance of the Theotokos

And all were marveling at all that he did, he said to his disciples: Let these words sink into your ears. For the Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men. Among the great works of divine power, he often impresses and reiterates the abasement of his human suffering, so that his sudden coming would not cause terror, but be endurable by a mind prepared in advance. Surely, what he said: "Let these words sink into your ears," should be read with emphasis and greater force, addressed to you, who more familiarly adhere to my discipleship and to whom the hidden and uncertain elements of my wisdom I have more plainly revealed (Ps. L), while others only marvel at the divine deeds, you should deeply ponder the event of the precious blood, by which the world is to be redeemed.

Second, with regard to the exhortation of the disciples to the understanding of truth, there is added: While all were marveling at all the things that he was doing and also saying and speaking; he said to his disciples: Place these words in your hearts; as if he were saying to them: while others recognize and admire the greatness of the miracles, you consider the humility of the future reproaches and "store away in your mind the outcome of the precious blood by which the world is to be redeemed, while the rest marvel only at the deeds of divine majesty." Whence place, that is, hold in memory, according to that passage of Song of Songs, the last chapter: "Set me as a seal upon your heart." Moreover, after the display of the miracle he joins the prediction of future suffering, lest the passion, coming suddenly, should utterly shake the disciples: whence Ecclesiasticus 11: "In the day of good things, be not unmindful of evil things"; and lest anyone be exalted in a time of prosperity, according to that passage of Proverbs 27: "Do not boast about tomorrow, not knowing what the coming day may bring forth"; and therefore Ecclesiasticus 11: "In the day of your honor, do not exalt yourself."

These words, which he wishes to be recalled to memory, are about the passion: whence he adds: The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men. Delivered, I say, out of clemency by God the Father: Romans 8: "Who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all," etc. He will be delivered out of obedience by himself; Isaiah 53: "Because he delivered his soul unto death." He will be delivered out of malice by Judas the traitor: Matthew 26: "He who dips his hand with me in the dish, he will betray me." And in this he encompasses the whole passion.

In order that those who were going to teach the whole world might know exactly his mystery, he usefully and necessarily explains it clearly to them beforehand. He says, "Lay these words to your hearts; for the Son of man is about to be delivered into the hands of men." The reason that led Christ to speak this is, I think, a subject both useful and necessary for our consideration. He had then led Peter, James and John up into the mountain. He was transfigured before them, and his countenance shone as the sun. He showed them the glory, with which in due time he will arise upon the world. He will come, not in humiliation such as ours or in the lowliness of the human condition as such, but in the majesty and splendor of the Godhead, and in transcendent glory. Again, when he came down from the mountain, he delivered a man from a wicked and violent spirit. He certainly was ready to bear for our sakes his saving passion and endure the wickedness of the Jews. As the minister of his mysteries, he by the grace of God "tasted death for every man." When this happened, there is nothing unlikely in supposing that the disciples would be troubled. Perhaps in their secret thoughts even they would say, "How is One so glorious, who raised the dead by his godlike power, rebuked the seas and winds, and by a word crushed Satan, now seized as a prisoner and caught in these murderers' traps? Were we mistaken in thinking that he is God? Have we fallen from the true opinion regarding him?" Those who did not know the mystery that our Lord Jesus Christ would endure the cross and death would find therein an occasion of stumbling.

The mystery of the passion may be seen also in another instance. According to the Mosaic law, two goats were offered. They were not different in any way from one another, but they were alike in size and appearance. Of these, one was called "the lord," and the other was called "sent-away." When the lot was cast for the one called "lord," it was sacrificed. The other one was sent away from the sacrifice, and therefore had the name of "sent-away." Who was signified by this? The Word, though he was God, was in our likeness and took the form of us sinners, as far as the nature of the flesh was concerned. The male or female goat was sacrificed for sins. Death was our desert, for we had fallen under the divine curse because of sin. When the Savior of all undertook the responsibility, he transferred to himself what was due to us and laid down his life, that we might be sent away from death and destruction.

He had shown His glory on the mount to His disciples, and after this delivered a man from an evil spirit, but it was necessary for Him to undergo His passion for our salvation. Now His disciples might have been perplexed, saying, "Have we then been deceived in that we thought him to be God?" That they might know then what was to happen to Him, He bids them lay up in their minds as a certain deposit the mystery of His passion, saying, Let these sayings sink down in your hearts. By the word your, He distinguishes them from others. For the multitude were not to know that He was about to suffer, but were rather to be assured that the dead would rise again, destroying death, lest they should be offended.

(in Matt. tom. 13.) But it is not clearly expressed by whom He is to be delivered, for one says, that He is to be delivered up by Judas, another by the devil; but Paul says, that God the Father delivered Him up for us all; (Rom. 8:32.) but Judas, as he delivered Him up for money, did it traitorously, the Father for His mercies' sake.

For he who receives the followers of Christ, receives Christ; and he who receives the image of God, receives God; but because we cannot see the image of God, it has been made present to us by the incarnation of the Word, that the divine nature which is above us, may be reconciled to us.

Taking a child, he set him beside himself, and said to them: "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me." Either simply teaching that the poor of Christ should be received with honor by those who wish to be the greatest, or certainly advising that they themselves be like little children, preserving simplicity without arrogance, charity without envy, and devotion without anger, just as children display innocence. Hence, when he said, "Whoever receives this child," he added, "in my name." So that they would follow the example of virtue that a child naturally observes, with the help of reason's industry, for the sake of Christ's name. But because he taught that he himself was received in the child, since he himself was born as a child for us, lest it be thought to mean only what appeared, he added and said:

And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. Wishing to be believed such as the Father is in size and worth. For he says, there is no difference at all between him and me, so that whoever receives me, receives him who sent me.

Now herein He either teaches, that the poor of Christ are to be received by those who wish to be greater simply for His honour, or He persuades men that they are children in malice. Hence when He said, Whoever shall receive that child, he adds, in my name; that in truth they may pursue with diligence and reason for Christ's name that form of virtue which the child observes, with only nature for its guide. But because He also teaches that He is received in the child, and He Himself was born unto us a child; lest it should be thought that this was all which was seen, He subjoined, And whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me; wishing verily to be believed, that as was the Father, such and so great was He.

And he indicates this when he adds: And he said to them: Whoever receives this child in my name, receives me: in which he shows that he has such great affection for the little ones and the humble that what is done for them he considers done for himself: whence, in Matthew twenty-five, he will say at the judgment: "What you did for one of the least of mine, you did for me." For he accepts such ones above all, according to that word of the Psalm: "The Lord is on high and regards the lowly"; and according to that word of Isaiah sixty-six: "To whom shall I look except to the poor and contrite in spirit," etc. - From this, moreover, it is gathered that there is great excellence in the little one, since in him Christ is received not only according to human humility, but also according to divine authority; to intimate which he adds: And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. From this it is gathered that he who honors and receives the little one of Christ receives and honors God: great therefore is the honor and glory of the little ones.

From which he persuades them not to seek to be great, but to strive to be little. And to this the Apostle invites in Philippians two: "In humility esteeming one another as superior to themselves." "For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a servant." So also did the Apostle, according to that word of First Corinthians nine: "Though I was free from all, I made myself the servant of all"; and First Thessalonians two: "We became little ones in your midst, as if a nurse were cherishing her own children."

Third, however, there is subjoined the conclusion of perfect praise through a definitive judgment, when he says: For he who is the lesser among you all, by estimation and humility, he is the greater, according to divine acceptance and truth. The least therefore is the greatest, and this because he is ordained to great rewards, according to that word below in chapter eighteen: "He who humbles himself shall be exalted." If this is true in itself as a sentence of God, he who humbles himself more is the greater, and he who does so most is the greatest.

And the reason for this is that the more humble we are, the more empty we are of the swelling of pride; and the more empty of the swelling of pride, the more full of love; and the more full of this, the greater we are. For of it is written in First Corinthians thirteen: "But the greatest of these is charity"; and therefore Ecclesiasticus three: "The greater you are, humble yourself in all things, and you shall find grace before God"; and again in chapter ten: "Great is the judge and mighty in honor, but none is greater than he who fears God."

Or therefore the lesser is the greater, because the more humble one is, the more like Christ, and thereby the closer to him; but Christ is the greatest; and the closer one is to the greatest, the greater one is; therefore the lesser one is, the greater one is; and this is what he himself indicates below in the twenty-second chapter: "But I am in your midst as one who serves." And therefore he said: "Let him who is greater among you become as the lesser, and he who is the leader, as the servant"; and Mark 9: "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all," because it is said in Matthew 20: "So the first shall be last, and the last first." And Paul, attending to this, said in First Corinthians 15: "I am the least of the Apostles, who am not worthy to be called an Apostle"; and Ephesians 3: "To me, the least of all the saints, this grace was given." — Therefore among spiritual men there should be no contention for the first place, but for the last, because that one is more honorable, as is said below in the fourteenth chapter: "When you are invited to a wedding, recline in the last place," etc.

Likewise, Luke 9: Whoever shall receive a child in my name; Interlinear gloss: "a poor one"; and the other Gloss: "He who receives an imitator of Christ receives Christ": therefore when a poor man imitating Christ is received, Christ is received. If therefore it belongs to evangelical perfection to be poor and an imitator of Christ: it belongs to evangelical perfection to wish to be received in such poverty for Christ's sake. If therefore such a one seeks by begging, he does not depart from evangelical perfection.

But I hear that some infect your number, and destroy the praise of a distinguished name by their corrupt conversation; whom you yourselves, even as being lovers and guardians of your own praise, should rebuke and check and correct. For what a disgrace is suffered by your name, when one spends his days in intoxication and debauchery, another returns to that country whence he was banished, to perish when arrested, not now as being a Christian, but as being a criminal! I hear that some are puffed up and are arrogant, although it is written, "Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee." Our Lord "was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth." "I am not rebellious," says He, "neither do I gainsay. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to the palms of their hands. I hid not my face from the filthiness of spitting." And dares any one now, who lives by and in this very One, lift up himself and be haughty, forgetful, as well of the deeds which He did, as of the commands which He left to us either by Himself or by His apostles? But if "the servant is not greater than his Lord." let those who follow the Lord humbly and peacefully and silently tread in His steps, since the lower one is, the more exalted be may become; as says the Lord, "He that is least among you, the same shall be great."

And therefore, beloved brethren, the Lord, taking thought for this risk, that none should fall into the snare of death through jealousy of his brother, when His disciples asked Him which among them should be the greatest, said, "Who soever shall be least among you all, the same shall be great." He cut off all envy by His reply. He plucked out and tore away every cause anti matter of gnawing envy. A disciple of Christ must not be jealous, must not be envious. With us there can be no contest for exaltation; from humility we grow to the highest attainments; we have learnt in what way we may be pleasing. And finally, the Apostle Paul, instructing and warning, that we who, illuminated by the light of Christ, have escaped from the darkness of the conversation of night, should walk in the deeds and works of light, writes and says, "The night has passed over, and the day is approaching: let us therefore cast away the works of darkness, and let us put upon us the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lusts and wantonness, not in strifes and jealousy." If the darkness has departed from your breast, if the night is scattered therefrom, if the gloom is chased away, if the brightness of day has illuminated your senses, if you have begun to be a man of light, do those things which are Christ's, because Christ is the Light and the Day.

That humility and quietness are to be maintained in all things. In Isaiah: "Thus saith the Lord God, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is the stool of my feet. What seat will ye build for me, or what is the place for my rest? For all those things hath my hand made, and all those things are mine. And upon whom else will I look, except upon the lowly and quiet man, and him that trembleth at my words? " On this same thing in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Of this same thing, too, according to Luke: "He that shall be least among you all, the same shall be great." Also in the same lace: "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be made low, and whosoever abaseth himself shall be exalted." Of this same thing to the Romans: "Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, (take heed) lest He also spare not thee." Of this same thing in the thirty-third Psalm: And He shall save the lowly in spirit." Also to the Romans: "Render to all what is due: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour; owe no man anything, except to love another." Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "They love the first place of reclining at feasts, and the chief seat in the synagogues, and salutations in the market, and to be called of men Rabbi. But call not ye Rabbi, for One is your Master." Also in the Gospel according to John: "The servant is not greater than his lord, nor the apostle greater than He that sent himself. If ye know these things, blessed shall ye be if ye shall do them." Also in the eighty-first Psalm: "Do justice to the poor and lowly."

Christ calls him least whom lowly things please and who from modesty does not think highly of himself. This person pleases Christ. It is written that "every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." Christ himself somewhere says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The ornament of a sanctified soul is a poor and humble mind.… Let the illness of pride be far from those who love Christ. Let us rather consider our companions as better than we are and be anxious to decorate ourselves with the humility of mind that is well pleasing to God. Being simpleminded, as fits saints, we will be with Christ who honors simplicity.

Hence it follows, And he says unto them, Whosoever shall receive a child in my name, receiveth me. As if He were to say, Seeing that there is one and the same reward to those that honour the saints, whether perchance such an one be the least, or one distinguished for honours and glory, for in him is Christ received, how vain is it to seek to have the preeminence?

Now He still more plainly conveys the meaning of the preceding words, saying, For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great; in which He speaks of the modest man who from honesty thinks nothing high of himself.

Now John is not blamed, because he did this from love, but he is taught to know the difference between the strong and the weak. And therefore our Lord though He rewards the stronger, yet does not exclude the weak; as it follows, And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not, for he that is not against you is for you. True, O Lord. For both Joseph and Nicodemus, through fear Thy secret disciples, when the time came, did not refuse their offices. But still since Thou saidst elsewhere, He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth, (Luke 11:23.) explain unto us lest the two seem contrary to one another. And it seems to me, if any one considers the Searcher of hearts, he cannot doubt that every man's action is distinguished by the motive of his heart.

Now why does He in this place say that they are not to be hindered, who by the imposition of hands can subdue the unclean spirits, when according to Matthew, He says to these, I never knew you? (Matt. 7:23.) But we ought to perceive that there is no difference of opinion, but that the decision is this, that not only the official works but works of virtue are required in a priest, and that the name of Christ is so great, that even to the unholy it serves to give defence, but not grace. Let no one then claim to himself the grace of cleansing a man, because in him the power of the eternal Name has worked. For not by thy merits, but by his own hatred, the devil is conquered.

And Jesus said to him: Do not forbid him. For whoever is not against you is for you. Taught by this saying, the Apostle says: But whether in pretense or in truth Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice (Philippians 1). But although he rejoices even in those who proclaim Christ insincerely, such people sometimes doing signs in the name of Christ are considered not to be prohibited for the sake of others' salvation, however, their own conscience is not made secure through such signs. Rather, on that day when they say: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? they will receive a reply: I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7). Therefore, in heretics and evil Catholics, it is not the common sacraments, which are with us and not against us, but the division contrary to peace and truth, which is not with us and they do not follow the Lord with us, that we ought to detest and prohibit.

Therefore in heretics and false catholics, it becomes us to abhor, and forbid not the common sacraments in which they are with us, and not against us, but the divisions contrary to peace and truth, wherein they are against us as following not the Lord.

Third, as regards the persuasion to humility on the part of the Master, he adds: And Jesus said to him: Do not forbid, but rather humbly bear with the imperfect one, because, Romans 15, "we who are stronger ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not to please ourselves"; and especially when the weak one is not an adversary of the truth.

On account of which he adds: He who is not against you is for you. And therefore this one is useful to us and tolerable, since he does not attack us but helps us; whence Sirach 11: "Concerning a matter that does not trouble you, do not contend."

But that passage of Matthew 12 seems contrary to this: "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters"; but this man was not with the Lord nor did he follow Him: therefore he was contrary to Him and to His disciples. How then was he for them? From this it is given to understand that there are three kinds of preachers. Some are true shepherds, and these seek only God's honor and the salvation of their subjects, according to that word of John 10: "The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep"; and these are to be received and honored. And these are imitators of Christ, as Timothy was of the Apostle, Philippians 2: "All seek the things that are their own, not the things that are of Jesus Christ. But take proof of him, because as a son with a father he served with me in the Gospel." - But some are hirelings, who preach for their own advantage, yet true and good things, of whom it is said in John 10: "The hireling flees, because he is a hireling"; and these are to be tolerated. - Some are wolves, as are heretics, who in matters of doctrine diverge from the truth of Christ: of whom it is said in John 10: "The wolf snatches and scatters the sheep"; and Acts 20: "Ravenous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock"; and these are to be driven away. And concerning such persons is understood that passage in Matthew 12; he speaks in the present context only of the second kind. Whence in Mark 9 it is said: "There is no one who works a miracle in my name and can soon speak ill of me"; whence in Acts 19 it is recorded concerning those sons of Sceva, that "they attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus"; and it is added that the wicked spirit said to them: "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize: but who are you?" And he prevailed against both of them, so that they fled from the house naked and wounded.

This happens in the history of every Christian movement, beginning with the ministry of Christ Himself. At first it is welcome to all who have no special reason for opposing it: at this stage he who is not against it is for it. What men notice is its difference from those aspects of the world which they already dislike. But later on, as the real meaning of the Christian claim becomes apparent, its demand for total surrender, the sheer chasm between Nature and Supernature, men are increasingly "offended." Dislike, terror, and finally hatred succeed: none who will not give it what it asks (and it asks all) can endure it: all who are not with it are against it.

Marvel then at the power of Christ, how His grace works by means of the unworthy and those who are not His disciples: as also men are sanctified through the priests, although the priests be not holy.