Catholic Radio Dramas

We are soon to share

From a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop (c. 330-389)

We are soon going to share in the Passover

We are soon going to share in the Passover, and although we still do so only in a symbolic way, the symbolism already has more clarity than it possessed in former times because, under the law, the Passover was, if I may dare to say so, only a symbol of a symbol. Before long, however, when the Word drinks the new wine with us in the kingdom of his Father, we shall be keeping the Passover in a yet more perfect way, and with deeper understanding. He will then reveal to us and make clear what he has so far only partially disclosed. For this wine, so familiar to us now, is eternally new.

It is for us to learn what this drinking is, and for him to teach us. He has to communicate this knowledge to his disciples, because teaching is food, even for the teacher.

So let us take our part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in a literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies. We are not required to sacrifice young bulls or rams, beasts with horns and hoofs that are more dead than alive and devoid of feeling; but instead, let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon his heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise. We must now pass through the first veil and approach the second, turning our eyes toward the Holy of Holies. I will say more: we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating his passion by our sufferings, and honoring his blood by shedding our own. We must be ready to be crucified.

If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and follow Christ. If you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God. For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself. Derive some benefit from the very shame; purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen. Contemplate the glories there, and leave the other scoffing thief to die outside in his blasphemy.

If you are Joseph of Arimathaea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body.

Make your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshiped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself.

Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings

Saint Gregory Nazianzen (c. 330-389) was born of Christian parents atNazianzus, Cappadocia in 330 and studied rhetoric at Caesarea, Palestine, and then for ten years at Athens. Gregory joined St. Basil at Pontus on the Iris River to live a solitary life. He was ordained in 362 was named bishop of the Arian territory of Sasima, an area torn by civil strife. He was invited to Constantinople by Basil to help revitalize the Church in the East and combat the heresy of Arianism. There his eloquent preaching at the Church of Anastasia brought floods of converts but also torrents of abuse and persecution from the Arians.

Gregory was named archbishop of Constantinople. He later retired to private life and lived in great austerity. He died at Nazianzus on January 25, 389. A Doctor of the Church, Gregory is often surnamed “the Theologian” for his eloquent defense of orthodoxy and the decrees he helped form at the Council of Nicaea, notably his celebrated sermons on the Trinity and his Five Theological Orations delivered at St. Anastasia in Constantinople. Together with St. Basil compiled a selection of writings by Origen.