THE LAMENTATION OF ‘JOB’ The three friends sat around ‘Job’ for a full week in astonishment and silence, because of the horrible tribulations that dwelt upon him. Most probably ‘Job’ did not feel their presence, nor preoccupy himself with them. Then all of a sudden, he started to reveal the bitterness in his depths; and presented what is considered as the most eloquent lamentation in the history of mankind; that bore a horrible portrait of despair. Although ‘Job’ cries out in bitterness, yet he did not blaspheme God; but like Jeremiah, he cursed the day of his birth (Jeremiah 20: 14-18). ‘Job’ coveted death, and preferred it over life; as for him, it meant a liberation from his sufferings in this world, . Although suicide did not cross his mind; yet he sought from God to intervene with His mercy, and relieve him of his misery. ‘Job’ did not utter a single word against God; He did not blaspheme Him, but cursed his own life, since the day he was conceived. Not just for the sake of his presence; nor for fear of what would come in his future; but despair made him hate his life even while he was still in his mother’s womb. Namely, his mind went back to the past that would never return, and would never be changed. Those friends were faithful to ‘Job’ in the days of his affliction, when all his other acquaintances deserted him. They silently sat around him for seven days and seven nights; after which ‘Job’ opened his mouth and talked. His talk can be divided into three parts: 1- Cursing the day of his birth, and wishing that he was never born 1 – 10 2- He marvels why did he not die at birth, and put in the grave. 11 - 14 3- A poem about he sweetness of death 15 – 19 4- The riddle that those who covet death do not get it 20 – 26 1- CURSING THE DAY OF HIS BIRTH, AND WISHING THAT HE WAS NEVER BORN: Although it was a weakness of ‘Job’, who was described as an upright man, to curse the day of his birth! Yet he did not blaspheme God “After that Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth” (Job 3: 1) When the prophet Ezekiel, while he was in the land of captivity, sat confused and in silence for seven days, with his soul moaning because of the desolation and destruction, that came upon his people, the holy city, and the temple of the Lord; The word of God came to him (Ezekiel 3: 15-16). Whereas ‘Job’, sitting among his friends, with his soul moaning because of what dwelt upon him, opened his mouth after a long silence, to curse the day he was conceived, the day of his birth, and the days of his temptations. Both of them – Ezekiel and ‘Job’ – sat in silence. But, because the first was preoccupied with what concerns God, his people, his city, and his temple; While the second was preoccupied with what concerns himself, and with what other people 2 thought about him; The first enjoyed hearing the exalted word of God; and the second, overcome by despair and bitterness, went down to curse his life. We need to sit in silence, to rise above ourselves’, to be preoccupied with what concerns God and people; and not with what concerns ourselves and our dignity. Then, the Spirit of the holy God would lift us up, as though to heaven, to hear the divine voice, and to discover the divine secrets, that would grant us the living hope. Unfortunately, ‘Job’ thought of the day of his birth as the worst in his history; and counted it as a starting point of his unbearable sufferings.... His mind became a prisoner of the bitterness in which he lives.... He forgot the good he has enjoyed.... His lean years devoured those filled with blessings;... and he looked at his whole life through a very dark glass. What happened to ‘Job’, happens to many among us, when they pass through long days of affliction. We hear even a prophet like Jeremiah cry out, saying: “Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me” (Jeremiah 15: 10); and, “Cursed be the day in which I was born!” (Jeremiah 20: 14) When we stop thinking, even for few moments, about the day of our eternal encounter with our Lord Christ on the clouds, world would grow narrow before our eyes, we would count even our creation as in vain; and would cry out, saying:“How long Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever?... For what futility have You created all the children of men?” (Psalm 89: 46-47). Here, Let us pause for a moment to consider the care of mankind for the day of birth since the old times. We find out that, while the wicked see it as an opportunity to reveal what they treasure in their hearts of the love for vain pleasure; The children of God, on the other hand, seriously look forward to their entrance into the way of passion; and count their day of birth as the day of their entrance into the valley of tears; Yet, they do that with a joyful living hope, to cross over to the new heavenly life. During the celebration of their day of birth, the wicked, being submitted to a hidden desire for an authoritative attitude; they express that desire by dancing through vigorous movements of their bodies. I may quote what came about the celebration of the day of birth of the Pharaoh of Egypt in the book of Genesis (40: 20), when he hanged his chief baker; and about that of Herod, who was more oppressive than Pharaoh, when he killed St. John the Baptist . But, on the other hand, I find in the Holy Book, no mention that any righteous man has ever celebrated his day of birth1. The scholar Origen The scholar Origen have a long comment on the words of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife, and a man of contention...” (Jeremiah 15: 10). Having previously dealt with that in my commentary on the book of Jeremiah, I shall include here a little quotation: Who am I, to be borne, only to become a man of contention to everyone on earth, for my admonishing, blaming, and teachings them?!2. The scholar Origen Whoever experienced his second day of birth by the water and Spirit, and became a son of God, would never curse even his carnal birthday; but would rather count all his passions as a crucifixion and a burial together with his Lord Christ; and 1 A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, 1998, p. 69- 70. 2 In Jerm. hom. 14:5. 3 as a narrow road, along which to walk, to enter ultimately into the open wide gates of heaven, and the eternal resurrection. Here, we should notice that, despite the bitterness in Job’s heart, that made him curse the day of his birth, he did not blaspheme God, nor expressed any regret for worshipping Him. Although what he uttered, reveal the bitterness of his soul; yet he submitted himself to the will of God. ... He is under suffering as we all are! We understand the words: “After this” (Job 3: 1), as (after the arrival of his friends)... Who did not greet him as a fighter, ... Nor cared to enquire about his health! ... Did not apply ointments to soothe his soars; ... Nor said to him: [Do not lose heart; Your Comforter is at hand; ... Fear not, Your enemy will be defeated; ... Do not feel ashamed, The end of your troubles is not far, And the day of victory is near!] “May the day perish on which I was born” (3: 3); Not the day on which I was created, but on which I was born... ; God created me well; but the rebellious Eve delivered me with pain and labor (Genesis 3: 16). The prophet David, aware of that, by Spirit, says in a prophetic psalm: “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51: 5). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem What amazing facts that defy nature! Death, that used before to be hateful and condemned, is now commended and considered as a happy event! Instead of bringing forth mourning, grief, and tears; it became a cause for joy and celebration! As far as all God’s ministers are concerned, their death proclaims delight; as it is only the end of their life that would give them certainty that they are accepted by God. Their death is blessed because it crowns their perfection, and reveals their good fortune! According to the inspired word: “Call no one happy before his death” (Sirach 11: 28). Yet this saying does not apply to you, O Virgin Mary; because your good fortune is not brought forth by your death; nor your consummates your perfection... It is not at your death, but since the day of that divine conception, on which you are called blessed by all generations. No, it is not the death at all, that made you blessed; But you have cast away death, scattered its gloom, and revealed that it is joy (by Christ born from you)1. Father John of Damascus Is it not shameful to moan because of death, while Paul sighs because of the present life; and writes to the Romans, saying: “The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together... But we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves” (Romans 8: 22, 23). He says this, not to judge the present things, but longing for the coming ones2. St. John Chrysostom “And Job spoke and said...” (Job 3: 2) St. John Chrysostom believes that the silence of the friends all along the week reveals their horror to see what happened to their friend; that they were unable to utter a single word before he, himself, starts talking. “May the day perish on which I was born, and the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived’” (Job 3: 3) . 1 عن دیر سیدة حماطورة بكوسبا لبنان، عظات في میلاد السیدة ورقادها للقدیس یوحنا الدمشقي، 1997 ، ص 58 2 Concerning the Statues, hom. 5:5. 4 ‘Job’ was most probably a king or a ruler, whose birthday used to be celebrated by the people; Yet, when he became a portrait of misery. He wishes that it perishes, and become cast into the sea of forgetfulness. Considering his birth to be the beginning of all his tribulations and troubles, he wishes that that day would be taken away, in anticipation of that day of his resurrection from the dead; according to the words of the prophet David: “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am” (Psalm 39: 4). Realizing how it is not possible to attain anything perfect in this life, David longed for the things to come. Now, we know partly; but it will be possible to attain perfection when the fact – and not the shadow – the divine and eternal greatness, begin to shine, to see it with an uncovered face (1 Corinthians 8: 12)1. The carnal lust and pleasure have swept us along in this life; and we became fearful to consummate this journey, in which bitterness surpasses happiness. Whereas the saints and the wise lament their long life, counting their departure from it and being with Christ far better for them (Philippians 1: 23). Yet they have not cursed the day of their birth, as ‘Job’ did, who said: “May the day perish in which I was born” (Job 3: 3) 2. St. Ambrose That is what the preacher said: “I praised the dead who were already dead, more than the living who are still alive” (Ecclesiastes 4: 2). What David also says: “I had said in my alarm...” (Psalm 31: 22); and: “I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved” (Psalm 30: 6); all those words that reveal a troubled and desperate soul; which were also said by ‘Job’ in his grief. Can we blame those in harm when they cry out loud the way they do? No, we do not! Because, if they do not do that, they would seem unnatural. Don’t you hear the prophet Moses say to the Lord: “If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now” (Numbers 11: 15). Don’t listen to bare words, but go deep into the foundation of thought. You heard that ‘Job’ “did not sin with his lips” (Job 2: 10); Well, he still did not sin, even after uttering these words. You hear God Himself say to him: “Do you believe that I could do, but proclaim your righteousness? (Job 40: 3 LXX). St. John Chrysostom You probably say that, as long as God is the builder and maker of the world (Hebrew 11: 10); We could not but love it! You speak the truth; The bearers of God, indeed, disregard the world; Yet, not the world created and shaped by God; but that which is created by by our behavior – a different and corrupt world; over which we made the deceitful enemy a ruler (John 12: 31; 14: 30; 16; 11). That what the Lord Jesus confirmed to his disciple, saying: “The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in me” (John 14: 30). It is not without reason that he calls him “the ruler of this world” ; He so says, that you do not assume that he means this seen creation, on which our enemy could never be a ruler, nor could have the least authority. When he says: “the ruler of this world” he means that world created by us, and not according to the will of God; by which we give foundation to our lack of faith, our rebellion, and every kind of sin. 1On the Belief in the Resurrection, 2:32. 2Death is Good, 2: 3. 5 To that same world, Paul clearly refers, according to the word of God, when he says in his epistle to the Ephesians: “And you, He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2: 1-2). Such evil world, we have formed, in which we made ourselves rich from corrupt sources. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem He says: “May the day perish on which I was born, and the night in which it was said: ‘A male child is conceived’”; as though he says: [May the pleasure perish, that brings man forth in haste to sin, and the weakness of his mind, by which he becomes blind, as though in the darkness conforming to evil. Pope Gregory the Great “May that day be darkness; May God above not seek it, nor the light shine on it” (Job 3: 4) He wishes that the day of his birth be darkness, for the light of his life has turned off, and the sun has set on it; He probably wishes that his life would be all night, to sleep and never wake up. Despite what ‘Job’ has reached of piety, uprightness, and faith; his book reveals his human weaknesses; We do not marvel to see such thoughts of despair cross his mind, that make him wish that he was never born. Against this kind of erroneous thought, the early fathers have warned us. There is a contrition of heart, spiritual and beneficial, that touches the depths of the heart; And there is as well another sort of contrition, harmful and disturbing, that only leads to defeat (like despair) 1. St. Mark the monk When we get exhausted by our strife to keep the good thoughts, and we eventually fall into despair, I wish we would hasten to the rock of knowledge, recite the psalms, and play the music of virtues on the strings of the guitar of knowledge2. Father Oghris the monk “May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it” (Job 3: 5) “May darkness and the shadow of death claim it”; As darkness is truly our enemy; And Christ is the Light (John 8: 12; 9: 5; 12: 46); the traitor is the darkness. And as Christ is Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1: 30); the traitor is sin. And as Christ is the Foundation and the essence of life (Psalm 36: 9); the traitor is the shadow of death. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem There is no more terrifying than Satan! Yes, But to confront him, there is no stronger shield than faith (1 Peter 5: 9). An invisible shield, against an unseen enemy, who aims different sorts of arrows in the darkness of the night (Psalm 11), toward those unaware. So, as long as our enemy is unseen, we should have faith as a strong military tool; according to the words of the apostle: “taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6: 16). When the devil aims the fiery darts of lust, faith, to . 1 مقالتان عن "الناموس الروحي"، 18 . 2 عن "الأفكار الشریرة الأخرى"، 16 6 cool down our minds, and to quench the fiery dart, would put the portrait of judgment before our eyes1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem “As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not be included among the days of the year; May it not come into the number of the months” (Job 3: 6) Father Hesychius discerns between two kinds of days: The day of disobedience that brought forth darkness over us; and the day of the Savior, about which He says: “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4: 21). The first day brought forth darkness and grief over mankind; Whereas the second is a day of joyful salvation, in which the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah is realized (Isaiah 61: 1-2). When we encounter the Savior, we would not any more compare our joyful evangelic days to the gloomy days of darkness, corruptive to life. That is why ‘Job’ sought his day of birth in sin to be cursed, taken away, and not be counted among his days in the Lord. May that day and night of disobedience, be cursed; May the darkness carry them away; May they not be counted among the days of the months... May they not be counted among the benefits given to us by the Savior... May the grief of darkness coming from them, not be mixed with the blessings given to us by the Savior; or corrupt them by their curse. Father Hsyichius of Jerusalem “Oh, May that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it!” (Job 3: 7) His ears could no more bear to hear the sound of music, shouts, or rejoice. There are no more places for joy in his depths; It is as though he has completely lost his hope.St. Augustine likens hope to an egg carrying life inside it that can develop through the warmth of afflictions and sufferings; saying, [It is still an egg, and not a chick as yet; it is protected by a shell; you should patiently keep it warm until it produces life2]. Hope moves man forward toward eternity and the future, in practical faith, perseverance in joy and rejoice amid the sufferings3. Let us be joyful in hope; even when the present life is not so nice; We should have the strength to endure all its temptations4. When we rejoice in hope, looking forward to the coming comfort, we joyfully walk amid troubles5. St. Augustine He, who does not look forward to what could be seen; but eagerly anticipates what could not be seen, would rejoice in hope6. The scholar Origen What is the hope of the gospel but the Lord Christ? His is our peace, who does all these things... Whoever does not believe in Christ would lose everything1. 1 Catechetical Lectures, 5:4. 2 Ser On N. T.55: 7. 3 Cf. St Augustine: Faith, Hope and Love. 4 In Ioan. tr 111: 1. 5 Letter, 55. 6 Comm. On Romans 12:12. 7 Hope is surely like a rope dangling from heaven to help our Spirits, steadily lifting up those who cling to it, above this world, and the temptations of this evil life. If man is weak, and forsook that holy anchor, he would instantly fall down, and would suffocate in the abyss of evil2. There is nothing that gives the soul courage, and love of adventure, like hope! But before we gain the things we hope for, it presents to us as a reward, an, “endurance in temptations”. Before gaining the anticipated things, we would enjoy in the present life, great goodness through the temptations; becoming patient and more experienced. Love makes things easy; Spirit helps, and temptations make you more experienced, and endure everything with courage; beside a very capable weapon – the prayer3. St. John Chrysostom Man’s perseverance produces hope; and the good hope glorifies man. St. Oghris “May those curse it who curse the day, those who are ready to arouse Leviathan” (Job 3: 8) Like the professional mourning women who come to funerals to help the family and friends in lamenting the deceased; he is counting the day of his birth as a bitter funeral; and asking everyone to help him in cursing that day. Some believe that some crocodile hunters used to keep on cursing the crocodile, with the hope that their curses would eventually make it weak, that they could catch it. The Jesuite version included ‘Leviathan’ instead of (the dragon); whose description mentioned in chapter 41 applies to the crocodile. Here he means the curses recited by magicians and astrologers to agitate the devil. St. Gregory the Nezenzian warns us against comparing things according to size or weight. We should not marvel when the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove; When the Lord Christ is called a ‘lamb’ (Isaiah 53: 7); a ‘Pearl’ (Matthew 13: 46); and ‘dew’ (Psalm 72: 6); Whereas the adversary is called ‘a great mountain’ (Zechariah 4: 7); ‘Leviathan’ (Job 3: 8; 40: 20); and the king that lives in waters; And we should not despise the kingdom of heaven, when it is likened to a ‘mustard seed’ (Matthew 13: 31)4. “May the stars of its morning be dark; May it look for light, but have none; And not see the dawning of the day” (Job 3: 9). “May the stars of its morning...And may Lucifer not never stand up again” (Job 3 ( LXX); The stars of the morning here as dim light refer to the devils, who sometimes take the form of an angel of light; But once the true light shines (John 1: 9), they darken and fade away. The text means “Let them stay dark”; they will not come to the light, as they will never resume their authority. Besides, they will never see ‘Lucifer’ stand up again; about whom Isaiah says: “Lucifer son of the morning ...” (Isaiah 14: 12); Then adds: “You are cut down to the 1 St. Chrysostom: In Colos., hom 4. 2 ستعود بق وة أعظم" للقدیس یوحنا الذهبي الفم. 3 In Rom. hom 21. 4Oration 39 on the Holy Lights, 16. 8 ground”, referring to the fact that he will never be able to stand up again and resume his past honor. Falling down from heaven to earth, he intended to destroy man; But God gave man the authority to crush the deceiver under his feet, and to cut him down to pieces. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem St. Augustine speaks to us about the defeat of the devil, whose false light has been darkened by killing the Lord Christ ( according to the flesh), the true Light, the Righteous, who scatters the darkness. He assumed that he could destroy Him, as he did to the first Adam; but he ended up destroying himself. What can be more righteous than to go as far as to death on the cross for the sake of righteousness? And what work is of greater authority than the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension to heaven, with the same body in which He was killed? First of all, righteousness has overcome Satan; then got the authority! The righteous overcomes, because He has no sin; He unjustl died by Satan! He gets authority; As He lived again after death, and will never die… Satan was defeated by His victory... By deceiving the first man, he slayed him; And by slaying the second Man, the first man got away from his net!1. St. Augustine In the Holy Book, the term ‘stars’, is sometimes used to describe the righteousness of the saints, shining in the darkness of this life; And sometimes, to refer to the vain outer appearance of the hypocrites, who practice goodness for the sake of praise from men. If the doers of goodness were not stars, Paul would not say to his disciple: “In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2: 15). And again, if, among the members of the church, we do not find those who apparently look as though they uprightly walk, we would not recognize those, who are worthy, by their behavior, of being honored by men; And St. John would not have seen the stars falling down from heaven, when he said: “The tail (of the dragon) drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth” (Revelation 12: 4). “The dawning of the day” is when the church set forth in the light, and the wicked are no more seen; are shut in, committed to go down to darkness through the weight of their evil works; and are never to see the righteous Judge. It is truly said by the prophet: “The wicked will not learn righteousness,… and will not behold the majesty of the Lord” (Isaiah 26: 10 LXX). Pope Gregory the Great “Because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hide sorrow from my eyes” (Job 3: 10) Here, Job’s wisdom betrayed him; wishing for something so cruel; namely, wishing that his mother had delivered him prematurely; that her womb had opened, to release him as a dead fetus; something that would have probably put her into the danger of death!... a dreadful thought caused by his bitterness Pope Gregory the Great presents to us a marvelous symbolic interpretation of this phrase; by which he sees the believer return to his early parents while in paradise, 1 Sermon 261:1. 9 as though in a mother's womb. He would rather be born there and then, and the gates of paradise are not opened to drive him out through the work of the serpent. He says [The serpent opened the door of that womb, and man was driven out of that joyful paradise, to live in the valley of death. He wished that the gate of that early paradise was kept shut, and that humanity was delivered there, and increased in a heavenly joy!]. 2- HE MARVELS, WHY DID HE NOT DIE AT BIRTH AND PUT IN THE GRAVE: He wished that he died at birth, believing that it would have been better for him to find rest in the grave, together with the great kings and counselors of the earth. Death for him would have been better than life! 3- A POEMABOUT THE SWEETNESS OF DEATH: Having presented a lamentation, wishing that he died at birth; and looking at his present life with its sufferings and tribulations, he presented a poem about how death is sweeter than life; seeing in the abyss a salvation from what he is suffering on earth. Pope Gregory the Great presents a symbolic interpretation of the poem about the sweetness of death; in which he sees "Job' wish that he died in the womb; Namely, that he was there in paradise,, together with his early parents, Adam and Eve, before being driven out to the world through the envy of the evil one. He saw in joining the kings and the counselors of the earth, in the grave, an encounter with the giants of faith and the great spiritual leaders; where all would rest in one eternal life, where there is no moaning, suffering or envy; “where the prisoners rest together; and do not hear the voice of the oppressor. The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master” (Job 3: 18, 19). “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3: 11) ‘Job’ probably recognized his fault, that his erroneous wish to be prematurely delivered as a stillborn child, would imply putting his mother into the danger of death. Now, he is trying to correct himself, by wishing instead, that he would be born, then would die directly once he came out of the womb. “Job’ considered his life since he was born, as a curse and a catastrophe; and counted death as the greatest blessing that could ever happen to him. In contradiction to that, the prophet Jeremiah presents in his bitter lamentation, a praise of thanksgiving to God for His 'gift of life’, saying: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not” (Lamentation 3: 22). According to a fiction, an old man, very exhausted for carrying a heavy load, cast his burden to the ground, and in despair, he wished he was dead. When confronted by death who enquired from him what he wants, expecting to hear him asking to let him die; he was surprised to hear him say: ‘Please help me to carry this heavy load!’1. ‘Job’ presented to us a lamentation, expressing in it his preference for an early death at birth, and commending the grave. It is as though death and the grave have become his intimate friends. 1Matthew Henry: Comm. On Job. 10 But, after the Lord Christ came with His free will and authority, to death and to the grave, turning them into a joyful song; not to be sung by the desperate, but by those who are full of hope for the heaven lies; who seek fellowship in the eternal glory; and who desire to encounter their heavenly friends, to partake of their praises. By the crucified Lord Jesus Christ, the Grantor of resurrection, we sing: “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14: 8). “Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts that I should nurse? (Job 3: 12). Pope Gregory the Great rejects the literal interpretation of the two verses 11- 12, saying that the righteous ‘Job’, who has been granted such exalted spiritual knowledge, and who has presented in his depths such praises to the divine Judge, would never wish to die through miscarriage, or directly after birth. He rather sees in these two verses, the righteous ‘Job’, bitterly crying, either because of embracing a sin in the heart, or practically committing it. He suggests four stages for embracing a sin in the heart, and four stages for practically committing it . These four stages are: a- Conceiving it in the womb: This is the first stage, when the sin is 'suggested' in the heart. As to its execution, it is practiced in secret. b- Coming out of the womb, or being delivered: This is the second stage, when the suggestion transforms into pleasure in the heart. As to its execution, it transforms from practicing the in secret, to shamelessly doing it before the eyes of everyone. c- Received by he knees; this is the third stage, when it transforms from a mere pleasure of the heart into an inner consent and acceptance. As to its execution, it transforms from a public practice of the sin, into a habit to which the sinner is enslaved. d- Nursed by the (breast): The fourth and last stage, when the sin transforms from being accepted, to being defended by the sinner, as though he is committing no sin. As to the execution, it transforms from being just a habit, to a complete maturation in practicing the sin. The four stages The sin in the heart Practicing the sin a- Conceiving it in the womb Suggesting the sin A secret practice b- Coming out of the womb A pleasure in the heart A sham less public practice c- Received by the knees An inner consent in the heart Turn into a habit d- Nursed by the breast The sinner fending the sin Maturation in practicing the sin Pope Gregory ends his comment by saying: [We should know that the first three stages could be easily corrected...; whereas correcting the fourth stage is not as easy. Our Savior raised the little girl in her home; raised the young man outside it; and raised Lazarus from the grave. 11 Whoever commits the sin in secret is as though being laid at home; while he, who commits the sin in public, is as though carried outside it. Whereas he, who commits the sin, once and several times, openly and shamelessly, as a habit, would be as though cast into the grave. However, the merciful Savior, brings all these back to life. His grace shines with its light on the dead, not only through committing secret sins, but also through practice it publicly; and even through falling under the pressure of habit. Yet, our Savior does not bring those of the fourth category back to life. It is indeed difficult for those who, not only persist on their evil habit, but defend it, to be healed of the death of the soul; About whom it is said: “Let the dead bury their own dead” (Luke 9: 60)]. So, Pope Gregory believes that the fourth stage of sin; namely, defending, and covering it, up, is reaching its maturation; And that no possibility of resurrection from its death; unless the sinner confesses his sin, stops justifying it, or searching for an excuse, the way Adam and Eve have done. “For now, I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; then I would have been at rest” (Job 3: 13). Pope Gregory presents, as a justification for the bitterness of Job’s soul, that he is thinks about how man could have been, if sin did not enter into his life; saying: [Man was placed in paradise, connected to bonds of love, to follow his Creator in obedience; and could be eventually transferred to the heavenly city of the angels, even with no death of the body. He was created eternal, in a way by which he would become mortal, in case he sins; but if he does not, he would remain without death; And with his complete freedom, he would gain the blessing of a world with no possibility of wrong or death. Since the day of redemption, the elect are sent, through the death of their body, to the place where the first parents could have been without the death of the body, if they abided to how they were created. By that, man would have “lain still and quiet” (13); reaching his eternal city in peace; He would have found a place of rest and comfort, away from the chaos of the human weakness. That quietness of peace, man enjoyed when he was created, and received the freedom of his will to confront his enemy. But having submitted to him through his free will, the human weakness instantly dwelt in him. Although he was created by his Maker in a state of quietness filled with peace; yet, once he bowed under his enemy by his free will, he fell under the chaos of war. The tendencies of the body itself became a sort of screams against the peace of mind; something that was unknown to man before his disobedience, as it did not exist; He started to suffer from the chaos of his thoughts, as the body wrestles against the Spirit]. Joy in the creation of God is a good thing; by which man, receiving the image of God, becomes mature and happy, but going astray in an unclean way of life, following the lead of several others; that is hated by the righteous men. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “With kings and counselors of the earth who built (pyramids) for themselves” (Job 3: 14). ‘Job’ counted death as rest together with the kings and counselors of the earth; who, in order to preserve their memory, built huge pyramids and magnificent tombs; Yet, nobody can distinguish their ashes from those of others; as the pyramids, gold, silver, and every thing they left behind represent nothing. 12 Pope Gregory believes that the kings here, are the angelic spirits, who dedicate themselves to minister to the Maker of all the creation submitted to them. They are also called ‘Counselors’, as they present counsel to the spiritual world; receiving us as fellow partakers of the kingdom. “Or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver” (Job 3: 15). Kings and rulers used to have gold and silver placed in their tombs, to honor them even after death; and probably to distinguish their tombs from those of the poor. But death does not discern between the great and the lowly, the rich and the poor, the master and the slave; As according to the wise Solomon: “The rich and the poor have this in common” (Proverb 22: 2). Pope Gregory believes as well, that the princes could be the leaders of the holy church, who fill their houses with the precious word of God – the gold purified by fire (Psalm 12: 6). “Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like infants who never saw light” (Job 3: 16). In a tomb, after a while, nobody can distinguish between the remains of a king or a ruler, and that of a stillborn child who never saw the light of the day; whom ‘Job’ believes to be in a better state than him; as he desires the rest of sleep and does not get it. And he never realized that the true rest is in Jesus Christ, in whom alone, we sleep – namely, we are buried together with Him – to be risen in the eternal life with an exalted un-expressible glory. Pope Gregory believes that the stillborn child who has found rest, are the elect since the beginning of the world, who, although have lived before salvation, yet they died to the world. Those, having no tablets of the law, and fearing God through the natural law, were as though they have died in the womb,; Those elect, having believed that the Intercessor is going to come, strived as much as they could; brought themselves to death, as far as pleasures are concerned; and kept the concepts, still not written in a law. That period before the law, presented to us fathers who likened stillborn babies who died in the womb. Among those early fathers, Pope Gregory presents to us: a- Abel: About whom there is no indication that he gave any resistance when his brother murdered him. b- Enoch: Who was justified, “walked with God, and was no more, because God took him” (Genesis 5; 24). c- Noah: Who, by a divine decree, became the only man (together with his household) to survive the great flood that came on earth. d- Abraham: Who was called a friend of the Lord. e- Isaac: Who with his weak physical eyes, because of old age, could not see the events of his days; But, by the spirit of prophecy, he was enlightened, through an exalted supernatural insight, to see the future events, . f- Jacob: In humility, he avoided the wrath of his brother Esau; and by his good nature he overcome him. He was fruitful in his descendants; and more fruitful in the Spirit, to have his seed connected to the bonds of prophecy. “There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest” (Job 3: 17). Death puts an end to the oppression of the wicked who persist on resisting the truth, and persecuting the children of God. As it had put an end to the persecution by 13 Herod against the early church (Job 12: 1-6, 23); it grants true rest to those who endure the persecution with thanksgiving for God’s sake: “’Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on’’, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them”(Revelation 14: 13). “The righteous is taken away from evil; he shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds” (Isaiah 57: 1-2). Death is here praised and thanked; as it takes away some from evil; and frees others from their misery; Some would find in it a refuge from evil; and others, an obstacle in the way of deceit. St. John Chrysostom “There, the prisoners rest together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor” (Job 3: 18). Prisoners often long for death to save them from humiliation. Samson preferred to die, together with all those who ridiculed him, to go on living as a grinder in the prison (Judges 16: 21) Death puts an end to everything. There would not be any possibility to support evil; but the voice of evil would even cease to reach the ears. St. John Chrysostom “The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master” (Job 3: 19) In death, all become equal, the one who dictates forced labor, together with the one who is under him; the small with the great; All are laid together in the grave, that does not distinguish between them. Nobody can escape from its authority, neither a slave nor a free man. By it, all human affairs come to an end: the riches, as well as the dignity. Inequality in this life is huge; but great is freedom after we depart and be there.. St. John Chrysostom “The servant is free from his master” (19); and according to the Scripture: “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8: 34)... In the present life, even if a slave escapes from his master, yet he is not free from him; But there, he is completely free. There, there would be no doubt concerning the forgiveness of sin; as, when the memory of the sin is no longer condemning the soul, the soul becomes secure; and the conscience would not be terrified because of its feeling of the crime, but would rejoice for forgiveness and the enjoyment of freedom. Pope Gregory the Great Both slaves and their masters are brought to death; where masters are not honored more than their slaves1. St. Afrahat 4- THE RIDDLE THAT THOSE WHO COVET DEATH DO NOT GET IT: In astonishment, ‘Job’ looks at those who covet death, and do not get it; As though God surrounds them with a fence, to keep them practicing the life of suffering, without realizing God’s plan for them. When ‘Job’ realized that there is no use for him to go on wishing that he was never born, or that he died at birth; he started complaining that his life continued and 1Demonstration 22 of Death and the Latter Times, 7. 14 not cut off; and for the extended span of his temptation. He justified his strong wish for death by the following: 1- All the time, he felt tired amid his awful afflictions, that seemed as though have no end in sight. 2- Even during his past days of prosperity, As he always used to fear trouble, and never felt peace of mind; he said: “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest” (Job 3: 26). Testifying to ‘Job’, St. James says: “You have heard of the perseverance of Job” (James 5: 11). Yet, despite his endurance of all those temptations without sinning with his lips, When he saw how grieved for him, his friends were, he opened his mouth and began complaining that he was ever born, that he did not die at birth, and that his tribulation has no end in sight. He felt that he persevered long enough, but he cannot endure any longer; However strong, man may be, he is actually weak and vulnerable. It is as though this book warns us, together with the apostle Paul, saying: “Let him who thinks he stands, heed lest he falls” (1 Corinthians 10: 12). “Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?” (Job 3: 20). ‘Job’ complains here, that his life continues and is not cut off; and wishes for death to come to him soon. Although light is a good gift; yet, in the midst of his bitterness, he counts that light is increasing his misery; and letting him see it more clearly; ... He would rather do without it. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalm 34: 19); those about whom is said: “It is by many affliction, that (they) enter into the kingdom of heaven”; and, “For (they) have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled (their) drink with weeping” (Psalm 102: 9). They would rather pass through temptations in this world; and consider themselves fortunate to have them; saying with David: “I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears” (Psalm 6: 6). The same way the righteous covet death, “searching for it like for a treasure”; the prophet Elijah says:: “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19: 4). The apostle Paul conformed to this as well, when he said to the disciples in Caesarea, who tried to keep him from going up to Jerusalem fearing for his life: “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of Lord Jesus” (Acts 21: 13). Father Hecichius of Jerusalem Those who live in pleasure, always fear death; whereas those living in grief, long for a soon departure. The rich fear death; whereas the poor wish for it to get rest from their troubles. Whenever they remember it, the strong get terrified; whereas the sick hope for it to relieve them of their suffering1. Father Afrahat It is probably for the benefit of the righteous, to be chastened here in this world, for any transgression they may have done, to spare them the eternal judgment; While, the wicked, may get a break in this life, to be drawn to the future utter sufferings. That is why it is said to the rich while burning in hell: “Remember that in your 1Demonstration 22 Of Death and the Latter Times, 8. 15 lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented” (Luke 16: 25)… The saints usually have more fear of the pleasures of this world, than of its risks! Pope Gregory the Great As far as rest is concerned, what is there in this world, but war against Satan, and a continuous struggle against his darts and swords? Our war is perpetual against love of wealth, pride, anger, and vain appearances; and our struggle is continuous against carnal lusts and seductions of this world. Man’s thoughts are surrounded by the enemy on all fronts, and are threatened by the attacks of the devil on all sides. His thoughts are hardly capable of defense: If he disregards the love of wealth, he is tormented by lusts; And if he overcome lusts, he will face the vain appearance; And if he conquers this, he will have to deal with anger, pride, envy, and jealousy, that would corrupt his good relationships with others. Despite such multitudes of persecutions and great risks that afflict the heart; we still rejoicing to stay here in the midst of all these wars with Satan, rather than longing to hasten to be together with Christ, through soon death. The Lord Himself taught us, saying: “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy” (John 16: 20). Who among us, does not wish to be without grief?! Who among us, does not long to hasten to have joy?! The Lord Himself has also proclaimed about the time when our grief would turn into joy, by saying: “But I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16: 22). Now, as long as our joy lies in seeing Christ... What blindness would be inflicting our mind; and what foolishness would be coming to us, when we covet for grief, afflictions, and tears of the world, more than for hastening toward the joy that would never be taken away from us?!1. What a great benefit we will surely acquire by going out of this world! As the disciples became sad, when they heard the Lord Christ proclaim to them that He is going away, He said to them: “If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father;” (John 24: 28); teaching us to rejoice when one of our beloved depart from this world; according to the words of the apostle Paul: “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1: 21). We should then count , that to die is the greatest gain; something that we can not acquire through the snares of this world, nor through the sins and iniquities of this body. For by death we forsake the painful troubles, and get rid of the venomous fangs of Satan, to respond to the call of our Lord Christ for us, to rejoice in the eternal salvation2. Cyprian, the martyr “Who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures” (Job 3: 21). By saying, “Search for it more than hidden treasures” 'Job' reveals his readiness to do anything possible to search for death, as one would do to acquire the greatest treasure. 1 Treatise 7 On the Mortality, 4. 2 Treatise 7 On the Mortality, 7. 16 Despite his readiness to search for death for whatever expense it may cost him; Yet ‘Job’ never thought of committing suicide; As his life is in the hands of his God, and it is not for him to put an end to it. Those who seriously search for death, do so as though searching for hidden treasures; And the nearer they get to their goal, the greater their zeal for work becomes. Pope Gregory the Great Death of the righteous became rather like sleep, and even like life. (St. Basil the Great) St. Gregory the Nezinzian, looking at his older sister, St. Gorgina, as a living Christian role model; was immensely influenced by her; and greatly fond of her piety and godliness. He informs us here, how she fearlessly got ready for death, and how she even longed for it: Gorgina’s home was the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrew 12: 22, 23)... dwelt by Christ, and shared by the church of the first fruists, whose names are written in heaven…. Everything she could take away from the prince of this world, she put in secret places; not leaving behind her except her body. She forsook everything for the sake of the exalted hope; and the only inheritance she left for her children, was to follow her lead, and to enjoy what she was worthy of. Here, let me talk about her death, in order to give her due... She strongly longed for the time of her departure; because she knew for sure, by whom she was called; and that she would rather be with Christ than anything else on this earth (Philippians 1: 23). As a saint, she longed for getting free from the shackles of the body, and for fleeing from the mire of the world in which we live. Yet, what was most exalted was that she tasted the beauty of her beloved Christ, in whom she continuously meditated. Knowing beforehand the time of her departure from this world, doubled her joy; Most probably God give her that grace, in order to get ready, and not to be disturbed when it happens. She spent all her life cleansing herself of sin, and seeking perfection. She gained the talent of the perpetual renewal by the Holy Spirit, and abided in Him, according to the worthiness of her early life... She did not disregard praying for the sake of her husband to reach perfection; a request that God granted her. She wished that everything related to her, would be as perfect as is so intended by God; that nothing on her side, would be imperfect before Christ. And when the end came, she gave her husband, children, and friends, her last commandment, as was expected from such saint who loved all. Her last day on earth was a great celebration. We cannot claim that she died fully fulfilled by the days of men; as that was not her wish; for she realized that the days, according to the flesh, are evil, and nothing but dust and mirage; But she died, rather fulfilled by the days of the Lord…. She was set free; or let us say, she was taken to her God; escaped; changed her dwelling place; or ultimately delivered her soul to the Lord. 17 At the moments of her departure, there was an awesome silence; as though her death was some sort of religious rites, during which her body was laid motionless after her Spirit left it. But her spiritual father, who presided over that magnificent scene, heard her reciting the words of the psalmist: “I will both lie down in peace and sleep” (psalm 4: 8). Blessed is she, who dies with these words in her mouth. That was how you, the beautiful among women sang; and the song became a fact; how you entered into the sweet peace after suffering; and how you ultimately departed, as is befitting for a woman, beloved by God, who lived and died in the midst of good words. How precious is your portion! more exalted than anything the eye could see; Your departure among a multitude of angels and heavenly creatures; in a procession filled with aplendor, purity, and perfection. More exalted was her vision of the Holy Trinity; Something that became, not any more far from realization and sensation, that were before under the limitation of the body. St. Gregory the Nezenzian Death for those who understand it, is eternity; whereas, for those fools who do not, is just death! We should not fear death, but we should fear the perdition of the soul, which is the lack of knowledge of God. This is truly, what should terrify our souls. Being sure of the fact, that It is impossible to escape from death, the prudent practice virtues; and thinking about the love of God, they can face death with no sighs, fear or tears; being convinced, on one aspect, that death is inevitable; and on another, that it sets us free of the maladies to which we are submitted in this life. St. Anthony the Great “Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave” (Job 3: 22) Such was the way the apostle Paul saw his disciples, as though dead, and buried in the grave of meditation; to whom he said: “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3: 3). Whoever seeks death would rejoice to find the grave; And he, who wishes to be brought to death, would rejoice more, when he discovers the comfort of meditation; As, dying to the world, he becomes covered and hidden in the bosom of the inner love, away from all the outer disturbances of things. Father Gregory the great “Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in?” (Job 3: 23) He had no hope of getting any better; He saw no opening to safety; nor a way to walk; as God has hedged him in, and he become motionless; As is said in Hosea: “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked” (Lamentations 3: 9). Although even death has entered as a fruit of sin; Yet, God’s exaltation, compassion, and great care, have turned it to the benefit of our race. Tell me: What burden does death bare? Is it not actually freedom from troubles? Is it not freedom 18 from worries? Haven’t you heard Job’ spraining it, saying: “Death is a help for man; whose way is hidden”1. St. John Chrysostom “Whose way is hidden”; namely, it is not for him to know when, or by what way will be his departure; God hides this knowledge from him; or does not allow him to know it. God does this for our benefit; as when we stay all our days anticipating death, we tend to be always prepared for it; and by that God grant us the chance to consummate what he commanded His disciples, saying: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24: 42). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem My beloved brethren... We should take into consideration that, living in this world as sojourners and guests, we go on meditating for as long as God allows us to be in it. I wish we love the day designated for our departure; for on it, we shall be liberated from the snares of the world, and return to paradise and the kingdom of heaven. If someone finds himself in a foreign land, would he not wish to hasten to return home?! And if it so happens that his return trip is by sea, will he not pray for an appropriate wind, to help him sail fast to his beloved country?! As we consider paradise as our home, and the holy Patriarchs as our as our fathers; so why should we not hasten and run back home to greet them?! How great would be our happiness to get together with our many beloved friends waiting for our return?! How great would be our pleasure to be in the heavenly kingdom, where we fear death no more?! And how great would we be in the eternal life?! There, would be the glorious fellowship with the holy apostles;... There, would be the rejoicing chores of prophets;... There, would be the multitudes of uncountable martyrs, crowned with conquest in their fight against lusts;... There, would be the multitudes of the virgins, who overcome the carnal lusts with their chastity;... There, would be the merciful, crowned for doing the righteousness, through feeding and caring for the poor; for keeping God’s commandments, and for transforming their earthly possessions into heavenly treasures. Therefore, let us hasten to be with these beloved brethren; Let us hasten to join the Lord Christ. When God sees our great longing; And when He beholds the goal of our thoughts and faith, He will bestow on us that great reward, He sets for those who have such a great desire for honoring Him2. Cyprian, the martyr “For my sighing comes before I eat; and my groaning pour out like water” (Job 3: 24). Job’s sighing and suffering became his indispensable daily bread; and his groaning became like an incessant flowing river. If all creation is eventually going to dissolve, and nature is heading to be changed, Why then, being a part of creation, should we marvel, when we feel such a devastating pain; and be delivered to such a great grief, as allowed for us by God, 1On Ps 111. 2 Treatise 7 On the Mortality, 26. 19 according to the measure of, and never to go beyond, our endurance; But, together with the temptation, He gives us an opening, by which we can endure it?!1. God “arranged all things by measure and number and weight” (Wisdom of Solomon 11: 20); He brings over us temptations, that would never exceed our endurance. He tempt all those who strive on the way of true religion, and “gives tears to drink in great measure” (Psalm 80: 5) to all those who should demonstrate, amid their suffering, that they keep on thanking Him2. I am convinced that, if there is ever a voice that would move the good Lord, His mercy would not be far off, But he would give, together with the temptation, an opening by which you can endure it3. St. Basil the Great “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3: 25). So 'Job' says, as It seems that he, in the days of his prosperity, he was always in fear that tribulations would eventually come upon him. As long as I am here, in this world; ... As long as I carry a mortal body; ... As long as I, while standing, I dread lest I fall; ... And as long as my well being is always threatened by uncertainties, man’s whole life is vain!4. St. Augustine If our hope as Christians, is limited to this life, our portion would truly be bitter; being so confined in the body, before the time of eternity. Whereas, if we have the love of God, and our souls surpass the limits of the body, we would count that as the beginning of the true life. Why should we therefore grieve like those with no hope?! You should have comfort, and should never fall under your troubles; you should show that you are above, and more exalted than troubles5. Beloved brethren, Is the temptation tough? Let us endure the difficulties; As he, who avoids the spears, and the dust of battles, would never be crowned. Or is the enemy deceiving you; and his war is in vain? Although these temptations are troublesome, yet they are actually weak. Let us then not scream loudly, because of such a little pain; because we would be guilty, and would deprive ourselves of the eternal reward, given to the righteous. You are the children of those who confessed Christ; You are the children of the martyrs, who strived even to blood against sin. Therefore, make their examples near and dear to you, to be brave as is befitting for your Christianity. No one among us had his flesh cut off by scourging...No one suffered confiscation of his possessions... We were never led into captivity... We were not put in prison... Therefore what is the actual extent of our suffering?!... The source of our suffering may probably be, that we have not suffered; and that we are not worthy of the passion of Christ!6. St. Basil the Great 1 Letter 139. 2 Letter 219. 3 Letter 256. 4On Ps. 39 (38). 5 Ep. 101. 6 Letter, ترجمة دكتورة ایفا ادوارد بدمیاط . 240 20 “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have not rest, for trouble comes” (Job 3: 26) Going back with his memory to the days before temptation, he finds out that he was never at ease, dreading all the time an imminent catastrophe. Yet that did not cause him to be slothful, but worked with more watchfulness and seriousness. He, who is not watchful, as enjoys prosperity, prevails over his enemies, and is always praised and admired by other people, would need more pity than any one else! Because, expecting no change in his life, he cannot even confront the problems of his prosperity as he should. And once difficult times dwell upon him, he would become disturbed and depressed. ‘Job’, on the contrary, was not like this; but, even during his prosperity, he was always expecting difficult times...; according to the wise words: “In the time of plenty, think of the time of hunger; In the time of wealth, think of poverty and need” (Sirach 18: 25)1. St. John Chrysostom What grieved ‘Job’ were not the things imagined by his friends; But his soul was worried whether his enemy can rob him of his inner riches; or can manage to take away from him the good things; because this would be his greatest fear! That is why he proclaims: “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have not rest, for trouble comes” (26). As he kept worrying about his children; every day he offered sacrifices on their behalf (Job 1: 5). Then, in one day, he lost his children, possessions, and health! Even the righteous who pleases God in every thing; still cannot live without “falling into various trials” (James 1: 2); and without going through the grieves of this world, as the Lord told His apostles (John 16: 6-22); and according to the words of the apostle Paul: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3: 12); But the Lord Christ says: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33); and “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10: 22; 24: 23); through the power of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem The desire for death is no longer brought up by a wish to escape from affliction and temptations. A true Christian, being a living member connected to the head – Lord Jesus Christ – would receive the features of the crucified Christ, who received death by His free will; Would love suffering even to death; And would even search for it; not for the sake of the suffering in itself, nor as an escape from the world; But because it is a sign of the true fellowship of love, and of the union between the crucified and suffering Groom and His bride. So, the cross, as far as the true believer is concerned, set forth by suffering as well as by death, from being a sign of sin, and of the denial and deprivation of man of God, the Source of happiness, to become a sign of love and fellowship; according to the words of the apostle Paul: “Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus” (2 Corinthians 4: 10); confirming that they are the passion of Christ: “For as the suffering of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1: 5). Having stretched His hands on the cross, He cast away “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2: 2). When He raised His body high, the things in heaven are manifested2. 1On Ps 10. 2 Ep. to Adelphius 8; De Incarn. 25. 21 After the physical resurrection of our Savior, there is no more cause for the fear of death. Those who believe in Christ tread upon death, as though it is nothing; They would rather die, than deny their faith in Christ; being convinced that death does not mean destruction but life; Through the resurrection, they became indestructible. An obvious proof of this is that, before believing in Christ, men thought of death as a terrifying subject, that would make them cowards; But once they received faith, and the teachings of Christ, they, on the contrary, count death as something of no significance, that they can tread upon; and have become witnesses to the resurrection, realized by the Savior against death1. Pope Athanasius the apostolic After Christ came and died for the sake of the life of the world, death is no longer called death, but sleep and repose2. Do you wish to know how the cross corrected many faults? Has he not destroyed death, wiped out sin, put an end to the power of Satan, fulfilled the being of our good body? Has it not made good the whole world? Despite all this, do you still not trust it3? “Who talks of all the wondrous works of the Lord” (Psalm 105: 2); After death, we became eternal. Do you recognize the extent of our conquest? Yet you should know that you acquired it without labor or sweat; You have not been wounded, nor your weapon been smeared with blood; You did not stand on a battle field!, nor even watched a battle. Strife is our Christ; and the crown of victory is ours. Now, as long as the conquest is ours, It is thus befitting for us, as soldiers, to sing in a joyful voice, the songs of praise for our Lord, saying: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15: 54, 55) 4. St. John Chrysostom 1De incarnatione Verbi, 27. 2De coem. et cruce. PG 49:394 B. 3 Baptismal Instructions, 12:57. 4De coem. et cruce. PG 49:396D-397A. 22 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 3 LET ME DIE TO LIVE WITH YOU In every newborn infant I see a living portrait of my birth. Born to cry out, the moment he enters into the world. As though he is entering the valley of tears. Who among mankind, who has no yoke to bear? The righteous ‘Job’ cursed the day of his birth. And Jeremiah cried out, saying: “Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me” And the Psalmist groans, saying: “For what futility have you created all the children of men?" If these are the cries of such pious men of God; What can I say, and what can talk? We were driven out of the joyful paradise. To become, as though in perpetual darkness We have no more hope that daylight will ever shine on us. Our days are filled with moaning. We often cry out together with the righteous “Job’ ‘Why didn’t we die while still in our mother’s womb?' Or, 'why didn’t we deliver the Spirit at childbirth?' We thank You, O amazing Sun of righteousness! You shone on those sitting in the darkness. You even came down to our land, and partook of our suffering. Now, having been yourself tempted, you help those under temptation. Let me carry the cross, as you have done. Let me receive shame, and be driven out of the camp! There, I shall find you crucified between two robbers. Counted among the transgressors! You, who alone is Holy. I will enjoy suffering, as long as you are with me. And the grave for me will turn into heaven, as long as you have dwelt in it. Let me die to live with you. In you, my soul will find rest. You are my happiness and the rejoice of my heart. You are my joy, my peace, and my treasure. For me, you are everything.
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