Conversations about the betrayal of Judas

“Conversations on the betrayal of Judas” (2 conversations) delivered by St. John Chrysostom presumably in Antioch on Maundy Thursday 388 or 389. They are dedicated to the events of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Judas. The authenticity of the second conversation, which is an edition of the first, is questioned. Both conversations have 6 chapters and are very similar in content. In them, the saint, using the example of the betrayal of Christ by Judas, says that it is not those who are persecuted who are unhappy, but those who persecute, because persecution is the first to open the doors of Paradise, and the last to open the gates of hell. Therefore, you should not curse your enemies, but pray for them, forgiving them all their offenses: “If you forgive the sins of the enemy, then your sins against the Master will be forgiven.” St. John consistently sets out the circumstances of Judas’ betrayal and speaks of the need to be careful not to fall into this sin. To prove human free will and the consequences of choice, the saint compares the actions of Judas and the sinner woman with an alabaster vessel. The conversations compare the Christian and Jewish Passover and talk about the impossibility of celebrating the latter after the dispersion of nations. The sacrifices that the Jews made for Easter are compared with the Sacrifice that Christ made: “Their sacrifices are not voluntary, but here Christ is sacrificed according to His will.” The saint talks in detail about the Last Supper and the establishment of the sacrament of the Eucharist. He exhorts the people to approach Holy Communion decently, with reverence, having forgiven their neighbors for their offenses: “That is why (the Lord) calls the peacemaker the Son of God, that is why, when making the sacrifice, He did not mention any other righteous deed except reconciliation with one’s brother, showing that love is greater than all virtues.” *The title of the work in Greek is Εἰς τὴν προδοσίαν τοῦ ᾿Ιοῦδα. *The title of the work in Latin is De proditione Iudae. CONVERSATION FIRST. The question of the misfortune of Judah and those who persecute the righteous. – Unhappy are not those who are persecuted, but those who persecute, because persecution is the first to open the doors of Heaven, and the last to open the gates of hell. – Therefore, those who are persecuted must pray for those who persecute. - An account of the story of the betrayal of Judas. – It is necessary for all of us to be careful not to fall into the sin of this apostle. – The case of Judas and the sinner woman as proof of free will. – The Last Supper and the Jewish Passover. – Establishment of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. – Forgiveness of offenses as one of the best means of preparation for Holy Communion. CONVERSATION SECOND. An expression of the idea that we should mourn not those who suffer, but those who cause suffering to others. – Why you need to pray for your enemies, and not curse them. - An account of the circumstances of the betrayal of Judas. – Details of the Last Supper and the establishment of St. Eucharist. – Comparison of Christian Easter with Jewish Easter. – The impossibility of carrying out the latter after the dispersion of the people. – An exhortation to the people to approach Holy Communion with decency and reverence. Conversation 1. About the betrayal of Judas and about Easter, about the teaching of the Mysteries, and also about forgetfulness of malice (Said) on Holy and Great Thursday 1 1. Little needs to be said to your love today; little needs to be said, not because you are burdened by the multitude of what is preached - it is impossible to find another city that would be so lovingly disposed to listen to spiritual conversations. So, we will say a little not because we are boring you with a lot of what we preach, but because today there is an important reason for shortening our speech: I see that many of the believers are hastening to partake of the Terrible Mysteries. Therefore, so that they do not lose this meal, and are not left without that one, it is necessary to distribute the food in proportion, so that on both sides you will benefit, and so that you go on the journey, equipped with this meal and our conversations, and proceed to the terrible and terrible communion with fear, trembling and proper reverence. Today, beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed; that evening the Jews took Him and went. But do not be disheartened when you hear that Jesus was betrayed; or better - give in to despondency and cry bitterly, but not for the betrayed Jesus, but for the traitor Judas, because the betrayed saved the universe, and the betrayer destroyed his soul; The devotee now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and the betrayer is now in hell, awaiting inevitable punishment. Weep and sigh for him, mourn for him, just as our Master cried for him. When he saw him, it says [in Scripture], “I was troubled... and said: ... only one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21). Oh, how great is the mercy of the Lord: The devotee grieves for the betrayer! Seeing him, [the evangelist] says, “I was troubled... and said: ... only one of you will betray Me.” Why was He sad? In order to show His love and together teach us that it is not the one who suffers evil, but the one who causes evil, who must be constantly mourned. The latter is worse than the first, or better said, the first, i.e. to endure evil is not evil, but to cause evil is evil. To endure evil is what brings the Kingdom of Heaven; and to cause evil exposes us to Gehenna and punishment. “Blessed,” says the Lord, “drive away righteousness for the sake of them, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:10). Do you see how he who endures evil receives a reward and reward - the Kingdom of Heaven? Listen to how the one who causes evil is subject to punishment and vengeance. Paul, having said about the Jews that they “killed the Lord and persecuted the prophets” (1 Thess. 2:15), added: “whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:15). Do you see how those who are persecuted receive the Kingdom, and those who persecute inherit the wrath [of God]? I said this now not without a purpose, but so that we would not be angry with our enemies, but would feel sorry for them, mourn them and have compassion for them: it is they who endure evil, being at enmity against us. If we set our souls in this way, then we will be able to pray for them. This is why I have been talking to you for the fourth day about prayer for your enemies, so that this word of instruction can be firmly assimilated, taking root in you from constant inspiration. This is why I unceasingly pour myself out in words, so that the swelling of anger will subside and the inflammation will subside, so that whoever approaches prayer will be cleansed from anger. Christ commanded this not only for enemies, but also for us, who forgive them their sins, since you yourself gain more than you give, stopping your anger at the enemy. How, you say, do I acquire more? If you forgive the sins of the enemy, then your sins against the Lord will be forgiven. These are incurable and unforgivable, but for those there is great relief and forgiveness. Listen to how Eli said to his sons: “If a man sins, men will pray for him to the Lord; if he sins against the Lord, who will pray for him” (1 Samuel 2:25)? Thus, this wound is not easily healed by prayer; but, not being healed by prayer, she is healed by the forgiveness of sins to her neighbor. Therefore, Christ called sins in relation to the Master thousands of talents, and sins in relation to one's neighbor - a hundred denarii (Matthew 18:23-35). Forgive a hundred denarii, so that thousands of talents may be forgiven you. 2. However, enough has been said about prayer for enemies; Let us return, if you like, to the speech about betrayal and see how betrayed our Lord was. “Then the one of two, said Judas Iscariot, went to the bishop, saying: What do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you” (Matthew 26:14-15)? These words seem to be clear and nothing more is implied in them; but if anyone carefully examines each of these words, he will find in them many subjects for reflection and great depth of thought. And firstly - time; It’s not in vain that the Evangelist means it, he didn’t just say: “shed,” but added: “then shed.” "Then" ; tell me: when? And what does it mean time for? What does he want to teach me? It is not without purpose that this is said: “then”; he who speaks by the Spirit does not speak in vain and without purpose. What does this “then” mean? Just before that very time, just before that very hour, a harlot came, “having the glass of peace,” and poured this oil on the head of the Lord (Matthew 26:7). She showed great helpfulness, showed great faith, great obedience and reverence; changed her old life, became better and more chaste. But when the harlot repented, when she gained the favor of the Master, then the student betrayed the Teacher. This is why it is said: “then,” so that you do not accuse the Teacher of weakness when you see that a student betrays the Teacher. The Teacher's power was such that it also attracted harlots to obey Him. Why, you say, was he who converted harlots unable to attract a disciple to himself? He was able to attract a disciple to Himself, but He did not want to make him good out of necessity and draw him to Himself by force. "Then shed". An important subject for reflection lies in this word: “shed”; not being called by the high priests, not being forced by necessity or force, but on his own and from himself, he committed deceit and undertook such an intention, without having anyone as an accomplice of this wickedness. “Then the shed is one from both.” What does it mean: “one of two”? And in these words: “one of two” the greatest condemnation against him is expressed. Jesus had other disciples, seventy in number; but they took second place, did not enjoy such honor, did not have such boldness, did not participate in as many secrets as the twelve disciples. These were especially distinguished and formed a choir near the King; it was the close company of the Teacher; and from here Judas fell. So, so that you know that it was not an ordinary disciple who betrayed Him, but one of the highest rank, for this the evangelist says: “one of two.” And St. was not ashamed to write this. Matthew. Why weren't you ashamed? So that you know that the evangelists always tell the truth in everything and do not hide anything, even what seems humiliating, because even this, apparently humiliating, shows the love of the Lord: He honored the traitor, the robber, the thief with such benefits and until the last hour endured him, admonished him, admonished him and took care of him in every possible way. If he did not heed, then the Lord is not to blame; The witness to this is a harlot, she was attentive to herself and was saved. So, do not despair when you look at the harlot; and do not be presumptuous, looking to Judas. Both are disastrous: both arrogance and despair; The self-confidence of the one standing makes him fall, and the despair of the one lying down does not allow him to get up. That’s why Paul exhorted this: “Be careful to stand, lest you fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). You have examples of both - how the disciple, who seemed to be standing, fell, and how the fallen harlot rose up. Our mind is inclined to fall, our will is flexible; Therefore, we need to protect and protect ourselves from all sides. “Then he was one of two, said Judas Iscariot.” Do you see from what choir he fell? Do you see what teaching he neglected? Do you see what evil is carelessness and negligence? "Verb Judas Iscariot". Why are you telling me this city? Oh, if I didn’t know him! "Verb Judas Iscariot". Why do you call it a city? There was another disciple - Judas, called the Zealot (zealot). To prevent any mistake from the same name, the evangelist distinguished this one from that one; He called this one by his good quality: “Judas the Zealot”, but he did not call this one by his evil quality - he did not say: “Judas the traitor.” Although he should, as he called this one by his good quality, also call him by his evil quality and say: “Judas the traitor”; but, in order to teach you to keep your tongue pure from condemnation, he spares the traitor himself. “He,” he says, “one of two, said Judas Iscariot to the bishop, saying: what do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you?” Oh, wicked words! How did they come out of the mouth, how did the tongue move? How is your whole body not numb? How is the mind not darkened? 3. “What do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you?” Tell me, is this what Christ taught you? Is this why He said: “Do not acquire gold, nor silver, nor copper with your belts” (Matthew 10:9), in advance restraining your tendency to love of money? Isn’t this what He constantly urged, and at the same time said: “If someone strikes you on the right side of your cheek, turn to him the other one too” (Matthew 5:39)? “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” Oh madness! For what? - Tell me. Having accused (Him) of anything small or great, are you betraying the Teacher? Because He gave you power over demons? For giving the power to heal diseases, cleanse lepers? For giving the power to resurrect the dead, for making him master over the power of death? Do you give such payment for these good deeds? “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” Oh, madness, or better yet, love of money! It gave birth to all this evil; Infatuated with him, he betrayed the Teacher. Such is this evil root; Worse than a demon, he infuriates the souls that he takes possession of, produces in them oblivion about everything - about themselves, about their neighbors, and about the laws of nature, deprives them of their very meaning and makes them insane. Look how many things he blotted out of the soul of Judas: community [with Jesus Christ], friendship, fellowship at meals, miracles, teaching, exhortation, instruction; All this then the love of money plunged into oblivion. Therefore, Paul rightly said: “The root... of all evil things is the love of money” (1 Tim. 6:10). “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” Great is the madness of these words. Really, tell me, can you betray the One who holds everything, rules over demons, commands the sea, is the Lord of all nature? And in order to tame his madness and show that if He Himself did not want, He would not have been betrayed, listen to what [the Lord] is doing. At the very time of betrayal, when they came to him “with drekolmi, with luminaries and lights,” He says to them: “Who are you looking for” (John 18: 3–4)? They did not know the One whom they intended to take. Judas was so far from the possibility of betraying Him that he did not even see the presence of the One Whom he intended to betray, while there were lamps and so much light. The evangelist also indicated this, saying: they had “luminaries and candles” and did not see Him. Every day the Lord reminded him both in deeds and in words, instilling in him that the traitor would not hide [from Him]; implicitly denounced him before everyone, so that he would not become more shameless, and would not remain silent, so that, thinking that he was hidden, he would not proceed to betrayal without fear, but often said: “Only of you will betray Me” (John 13:21), - however, he did not make him known. He spoke a lot about Gehenna, a lot about the Kingdom, and in both of these He showed His power, both in punishing sinners and in rewarding the virtuous. But Judas rejected all this, and God did not draw him by force. Since God created us masters in the choice of both bad and good deeds, and wanted us to be good according to our own will, He does not force or force if we do not want, because to be good under compulsion does not mean to be good. Therefore, since (Judas) was the master of his thoughts and it was in his power not to obey them and not to incline towards the love of money, he obviously blinded his own mind and abandoned his own salvation: “What do you want to give to me,” he says, “and I will betray Him to you?” Denouncing the blindness of his mind and his madness, the evangelist says that during their arrival Judas stood near them, saying: “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” And not only from this can one see the power of Christ, but also from the fact that after He uttered a simple word, they retreated and fell to the ground. But since they did not abandon their shamelessness even after this, He finally betrays Himself, as if saying: I did everything on My part, showed My power, showed that you are undertaking an impossible task; I wanted to curb your anger; but since you did not want this, but remained in your madness, then, behold, I betray Myself. I said this so that someone would not condemn Christ, saying: Why didn’t He change Judas? Why didn't he make him prudent and kind? How should you make him kind? By force or by will? If by force, then in this way he could not become better, because no one can be good under force; if by will and free decision, then He [Christ] used all measures that could test will and intention. And if he did not want to accept healing, then this is not the fault of the Doctor, but of the one who rejected the healing. Look how much Christ did to win him over to his side and save him: he taught him all wisdom both in deeds and words, placed him above demons, made him capable of performing many miracles, terrified him with the threat of Gehenna, admonished him with the promise of the Kingdom, constantly exposed his secret thoughts, but, denouncing him, did not expose him to everyone, washed his feet along with the rest [disciples], made him a participant in His Supper and Meal, not omitted nothing - neither small nor great; but he voluntarily remained incorrigible. And so that you can be convinced that he, having the opportunity to change, did not want to, and everything happened from his carelessness, listen. Having betrayed Christ, he threw thirty pieces of silver and said: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). What is this? When you saw Him performing miracles, you did not say: “We have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” but: “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” And when evil succeeded and betrayal reached its fulfillment, and the sin was committed, then did you recognize this sin? What do we learn from here? Because when we indulge in carelessness, then admonition does not bring us any benefit; and when we are attentive, we ourselves can rebel. So he: when the Teacher admonished him, he did not listen; and when no one admonished him, his own conscience awoke, and without any teacher he changed, condemned what he had dared to do, and threw away the thirty pieces of silver. “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you? “They,” says the evangelist, “gave him thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15); They offered a price for Blood that has no price. Why do you, Judas, accept thirty pieces of silver? Christ came freely to shed this Blood for the universe; and you make shameless contracts and conditions about her. And in fact, what could be more shameless than such an agreement? 4. Then “the disciples came” (Matthew 26:17). "Then"; When? When this happened, when the betrayal was accomplished, when Judas destroyed himself, then “the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him: Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” Do you see the student? Do you see the [other] students? He betrays the Lord, and these take care of Easter; he concludes the terms, and these offer the service. He and these enjoyed the same miracles, the same instructions, the same power; where does this change come from? From the will; it is always the cause of all good and evil. “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal?” It was this evening; The Lord did not have a home, and therefore they said to Him: “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal?” We have no definite shelter, we have neither a tent nor a house. Let those who live in magnificent houses, in wide porticos, in spacious fences know that Christ had no place to lay his head. So [the disciples] ask: “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” What Easter? Not this one - ours, but for now the Jewish one; That one was prepared by the disciples, and this one of ours He Himself prepared, and not only He Himself prepared it, but He Himself became the Passover. “Where will we prepare for you to eat the Passover?” This was the Jewish Passover, the one that began in Egypt. Why did Christ eat it? To comply with everything required by law. When he was baptized, he said: “For it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15); I have come to redeem man from the curse of the law; for “God hath sent forth his son...who is born of woman, and is under the law, that he may redeem those under the law,” and may bring to an end the law itself (Gal. 4:4–5). Lest anyone say that He abolished the law because He could not fulfill it, as it was heavy, difficult and inconvenient to fulfill, He first fulfilled it in its entirety, and then abolished it. That is why He celebrated the Passover because the Passover was prescribed by law. Why did the law prescribe that we eat Easter? The Jews were ungrateful to their Benefactor and immediately after the good deeds they forgot about the command of God. So, when they left Egypt, even seeing the sea divided and united again, and other countless miracles, they said: “Let us create for ourselves gods who will go before us” (Ex. 32:1). What are you saying? Miracles are still before you, but have you already forgotten about the Benefactor? And so, since they were so insensitive and ungrateful, God connected the remembrance of His gifts with the establishment of holidays; Therefore, He commanded that the Passover should also be sacrificed, so that when He asks you, He says to your son, “What does this Passover mean?” - you said that our ancestors in Egypt once anointed the doors with the blood of a sheep, so that the destroyer, coming and seeing, would not dare to enter and strike (Exodus 12:27-28). Thus, later this holiday became a constant reminder of salvation. And they received not only the benefit that he reminded them of ancient blessings, but also another, greater benefit, from the fact that he foreshadowed the future. That lamb was an image of another Lamb - a spiritual one, a sheep - a Sheep; that was a shadow, and this is the Truth. When the Sun of Truth appeared, then the shadow finally disappeared, since when the sun rises the shadow disappears. Therefore, at this very meal, both Passovers are celebrated, both representative and true. Just as painters draw lines on the same board and depict a shadow, and then put true colors on it, so did Christ: at the same meal He wrote the representative Passover and added the true one. “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Then it was the Passover of the Jews; but when the sun has risen, let the lamp no longer appear; when the truth has come, then let the shadow disappear. 5. I say this to the Jews, because they think that they are celebrating Passover; and, uncircumcised in heart, with shameless intent they offer unleavened bread. How, tell me, Jew, do you celebrate Passover? The church is destroyed, the altar is destroyed, the Holy of Holies is trampled, all kinds of sacrifices are stopped; Why do you dare to commit these lawless deeds? You once went to Babylon, and there those who captivated you said: “Sing to us from the songs of Zion” (Ps. 136: 3); but you didn't agree. David expressed this when he said “on the rivers of Babylon, there is a gray one and a weeping one... in the midst of both willows are our organs” (Ps. 137:1-2), i.e. psalter, zither, lyre, etc., since they used them in ancient times and sang psalms through them. Having gone into captivity, they took them with them in order to have a reminder of life in their fatherland, and not in order to use them. “There,” he says, “they asked us about the words of the songs”; and we said: “How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a foreign land” (Ps. 137:3-4)? What are you saying? You do not sing the Song of the Lord in a foreign land, but do you celebrate the Passover of the Lord in a foreign land? Do you see ingratitude? Do you see lawlessness? When their enemies forced them, they did not even dare to say a psalm in a foreign land; and now on their own, while no one is forcing or forcing them, they are raising a war against God. Do you see how unclean unleavened bread is, how lawless their feast is, how the Jewish Passover no longer exists? There was once a Jewish Passover, but now it has been canceled, and the spiritual Passover has come, which Christ taught then. When they [the disciples] ate and drank, He, it says [in the Gospel], “receive... bread,... break... and say: this is My body,... broken for you for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-27). Those initiated into the mysteries understand what has been said. Also, taking the cup, he said: “This is My Blood, ... which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). And Judas was present when Christ said this. “This is the Body” which you, Judas, sold for thirty pieces of silver; “This is the Blood,” about which you recently made shameless terms with the ungrateful Pharisees. Oh, the love of Christ! Oh madness; O, the fury of Judas! This one sold Him for thirty denarii, and Christ even after that would not have refused to give His most sold Blood to the seller “for the remission of sins,” if this one had wanted. After all, Judas was present and participated in the Holy Meal. When Christ washed his feet together with the other disciples, he also participated in the Holy Meal so that he would not have any excuse for justification if he remained in his wickedness. Christ said and used everything on His part, but he stubbornly remained with his wicked intention. 6. However, it is already time to begin this Terrible Meal. Let us all approach with due modesty and attention; and let no one be Judas, let no one be evil, let no one hide poison in himself, wearing one thing on his lips and another in his mind. Christ is coming even now; Whoever established that Meal is now also organizing this one. It is not man who transforms what is offered into the Body and Blood of Christ, but Christ Himself, crucified for us. Representing His image stands a priest pronouncing those words; but it is the power and grace of God that acts. “This is My Body,” He said. These words translate what was proposed, and like the saying: “Grow and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28), although spoken once, in fact, at all times gives our nature the strength to bear children; so this saying, spoken once, from that time until now until His coming, makes the sacrifice perfect at every Meal in the churches. So, let no one approach the treacherous, no one filled with malice, no one with poison in their thoughts, so as not to receive communion “to condemnation.” And so, after accepting what was offered, the devil entered into Judas, despising not the Body of the Lord, but despising Judas for his shamelessness, so that you would know that those who unworthily partake of the Divine mysteries are especially attacked and constantly entered by the devil, just as he was then in Judas. Thus, honors benefit the worthy, but those who use them unworthily are subject to greater punishment. I say this not to frighten, but to warn. Let no one be Judas; let no one, when approaching, have the poison of malice in him. This sacrifice is spiritual food; and just as bodily food, entering a stomach that has poor juices, further increases weakness, not by its own nature, but by illness of the stomach, so it usually happens with spiritual Sacraments. And when they are communicated to a soul filled with malice, they damage and destroy it more, not by their own nature, but by the illness of the receiving soul. So, let no one have evil thoughts within himself, but let us purify the mind; We are about to make a pure sacrifice; let us make our soul holy; and this can be done in one day. How and in what way? If you have anything against the enemy, then leave your anger, heal the wound, stop the enmity, so that you can benefit from this Meal, because you are about to begin the Terrible and Holy Sacrifice. Be ashamed of that which serves as the basis of this offering itself. The slain Christ is presented. Why was He slain and for what? In order to pacify the heavenly and earthly, in order to make you a friend of the Angels, in order to reconcile you with the God of all, in order to make you a friend from an enemy and adversary. He gave His soul for those who hated Him; and you remain at enmity against a slave like you? How can you begin to eat the Meal of Peace? He did not even refuse to die for you; and you don’t have enough strength for yourself to leave your anger at a slave like you? How can this be worthy of forgiveness? He offended me, you say, and took a lot from me. So what? The damage is only in money - he has not yet wounded you as much as Judas Christ; however, Christ gave His very Blood, which was shed, for the salvation of those who shed it. What can you say that is equal to this? If you have not forgiven the enemy, then you have harmed yourself, not him; You often harmed him in this life, and you made yourself unworthy of forgiveness and unrequited in the future. God turns away nothing more than a vindictive person, an arrogant heart and an irritable soul. Listen to what He says: “If... you bring your gift to the altar and remember her” before, standing in front of the altar, “because your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar, and go first and humble yourself with your brother, and then come and bring your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). What do you say: I will leave (the gift)? Yes, for peace, he says, this sacrifice was made with your brother. Therefore, if this sacrifice was made for peace between you and your brother, and you do not make peace, then you are participating in this sacrifice in vain, this benefit becomes useless for you. Do in advance what this sacrifice was made for, and then you will make excellent use of it. For this purpose the Son of God descended to reconcile our nature with the Master; Not only did He Himself come for this, but He [was also concerned] to make us, who do this, partakers of His name. “Blessed,” He says, “are peacemakers, for these will be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). What the Only Begotten Son of God did, do the same with human strength, becoming the cause of peace both for yourself and for others. That is why He calls you, the peacemaker, the son of God; therefore, in relation to the time of the sacrifice, He did not mention any other commandment except reconciliation with one’s brother, expressing that this was the most important thing. I wanted to continue the speech even further, but what has been said is enough for those who are attentive, if they remember. Let us, beloved, constantly remember these words, and the holy kisses, and the terrible greetings that we make to each other. This unites our souls and produces the fact that we all become one body, just as we all partake of one Body. Let us unite into one body, not combining bodies with each other, but connecting souls with each other in a union of love; in this way we can boldly partake of the offered Meal. And even though we have had countless righteous deeds, if we are vindictive, then everything will be in vain and in vain, and we will not be able to receive any fruit from them for salvation. So, realizing this, let us cease all anger and, having cleared our conscience, with all humility and meekness let us approach the Table of Christ, with whom to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, is all glory, honor, power, now and ever [and to the ages of ages]. Amen. Conversation 2. About the Holy and Last Supper of the Savior and the betrayal of Judas, about Easter and the establishment of the Divine Sacraments, and about forgetfulness of malice, spoken on Holy and Maundy Thursday I wanted, beloved, to continue the conversation about the patriarch [Abraham] and here to offer a spiritual feast, but the ingratitude of the traitor leads our tongue to a conversation about the latter, and the circumstances of the [present] day prompt us to talk about his reckless crime. Today our Lord Jesus Christ was delivered into the hands of the Jews by His own disciple. You, beloved, hearing this, do not be sad and do not be upset, hearing that the Lord is betrayed; or rather, to say, both sorrow and cry, but not for the betrayed Jesus, but for Judas, who betrayed Him. Indeed, the betrayed Jesus saved the universe, but the betrayed Judas destroyed his soul; the betrayed Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and the betrayed Judas is now in hell, awaiting inexorable and eternal punishment. This is what you mourn, this is what you cry about, because our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, seeing Judas, was indignant (in spirit) and wept. Seeing him, the Gospel says, “you were indignant... and said: only one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21). Why was He indignant? [Obviously], at the thought that after so much instruction and advice, Judas did not notice into what abyss he was pushing himself. Seeing the disciple’s madness and feeling sorry for him, the Lord was indignant and began to cry. All the evangelists speak about this in order to further certify the truth of the economy. The Lord was indignant, seeing the extreme ingratitude of the disciple, teaching us [through this] to cry most of all for those who do evil, and not for those who suffer evil. Those who endure insults and injustices are more likely to be considered blessed. That is why Christ said: “Blessed are you who have driven away righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:10). Do you see what gain He indicated for those who suffer unrighteousness? Look again in another place, (what) inexorable punishment (belongs) to those who do evil. Listen to blessed Paul, who says: “But you, brethren, are likened to the churches of God that are in Judea... in the same way you also will suffer from your own people, just as you did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and His prophets... and those who forbade us,” he says, “to speak with the tongue, so that they may be saved, so that they may fulfill their sins; the wrath of God will come upon them to the end" (1 Thess. 2:14-16). Do you see that it is most worthy to cry and grieve for those who do evil? Therefore, the merciful Lord was indignant and cried, seeing the daring act of the disciple, showing compassion for the disciple, and showing the greatness of His mercy, that even until the very betrayal he did not cease to care about the correction of the disciple. So, it is better to weep and grieve bitterly for him, because the Lord also grieved for him. “Be indignant,” it is said, “Jesus and said: only one of you will betray Me.” Oh, how great is the mercy, how great is the goodness of the Lord! The devotee mourns the traitor. Seeing that he stubbornly remained in wickedness, he became indignant “and said: only one of you will betray Me.” Look, what long-suffering! What humanity! How he spares the ungrateful! He doesn’t even want Judas to commit his act without any shame, but brings all the disciples into confusion and fear in order to give him some reason to repent of his madness. But since the soul (of the traitor) remains insensitive, unable to perceive the seed of piety, does not heed either advice or exhortation, but is darkened by passion, strives for destruction, then he did not receive any benefit from such great long-suffering. “One of you,” he says, “will betray Me.” Why was He indignant and grieved? In order to show His love for mankind, and at the same time teach us that we should weep most of all for those who do evil to their neighbor, because they incur wrath (of God) upon themselves. It is not the one who suffers evil, but the one who causes evil, that should always be mourned, because the patience of unrighteousness brings us the Kingdom of Heaven, and causing evil to another is for us the cause of Gehenna and punishment. “Blessedness,” he says, “exile for the sake of truth.” You see how suffering brings the Kingdom of Heaven as a reward and reward. Listen to how, on the contrary, villainy entails execution and vengeance. Paul, having said about the Jews that they killed the Lord and drove out the prophets, added: “They are finished according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:15). Do you see how those who are persecuted receive the Kingdom of Heaven, but the wrath of God is the lot of the persecutors? It is not without reason that I am discussing this with you, beloved, but with the intention of learning that we should not be angry with our enemies, but, on the contrary, rather feel sorry for them, cry and grieve for them, because (truly) those who suffer evil are precisely those who are in vain at enmity against us. If we set our souls in such a way that we not only become angry, but even begin to grieve for them, then we will be able, according to the word of the Lord, to pray for them, and through this we will attract great favor from heaven. That is why I have been talking with you for the fourth day about prayer for your enemies, so that through the constant repetition of the exhortation, the word of instruction will be more deeply imprinted and rooted in your souls. Therefore, without interruption, I address you with a speech in order to destroy the swelling of anger, to calm the inflammation, so that those who come to prayer will be cleansed of anger. And Christ not only convinces us to do this (to pray for our enemies) for the sake of our enemies, but also for our own sake, when we forgive their sins. You receive more than you give, leaving your anger to the enemy. How do you say I get more? Listen carefully: if you forgive the sins of the enemy, your sins against the Lord are forgiven. These are grievous and can hardly be forgiven, but they bring (you) mercy and great consolation (from the Lord). Listen to Elijah, who says to his sons: “If a man sins, the priest will pray for him; if he sins with God, who will pray for him” (1 Samuel 2:25)? The wound is so great that even prayer cannot easily be healed. But while such sin is not destroyed by prayer, by forgiving the sins of enemies it is immediately forgiven. That is why God called those sins in relation to the Lord ten thousand talents, and these sins a hundred denarii (Matthew 18:23-35). If you forgive these last ones, ten thousand talents will be left to you. 2. However, enough has been said about prayer. If you like, let’s do what was said above; Let us return to the word about betrayal and see how betrayed our Lord was. And in order to see all the madness of the traitor and understand the ingratitude of the disciple and the ineffable mercy of the Lord, let us listen to the evangelist as he tells us about the daring act (of Judas). “Then,” he says, “one of the two, said Judas Iscariot, went to the bishop, saying to them: what do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you” (Matthew 26:14-15)? It seems that the story is clear and does not contain anything special. But if someone were to consider each of these sayings, (it would turn out that) there is much to be considered here and many deep thoughts. And above all, time. Not without purpose, in fact, is what the evangelist denotes. He did not simply say: “shed”, but added: “then shed”. “Then” - when? And why does it indicate time? It is not in vain that the evangelist who speaks from the Holy Spirit tells us the time, because he who speaks from the Spirit does not utter anything in vain or without reason. So, what does this “then” mean? Just before that, just before this very hour, a young woman came up with an alabaster flask of ointment and poured this oil on the head of the Lord. The woman discovered great faith, showed great care, obedience and piety - she abandoned her former life and became better and more intelligent. And at that time, when the harlot repented, when she came to know the Lord, then the disciple betrayed the Teacher. “Then” - when? When the harlot, coming and pouring an alabaster vessel of ointment on the feet of Jesus (Luke 7:36-50), wiped them with her hair and revealed great love, blotting out the sins of her entire life with such a confession, when he saw her showing such zeal to serve the Teacher, then he hastened to lawless betrayal. And while she ascended from the very depths of wickedness to heaven itself, this one, after countless miracles and signs, after so many instructions, after the ineffable condescension of the Lord, fell into the very depths of hell. This is how evil negligence and corrupted will are! That’s why Paul said: “Be determined to stand and be careful, lest you fall” (1 Cor. 10:12); and the prophet exclaimed: “The food of the fallen does not rise; or turn away and not be converted” (Jer.8:4)? (These two expressions are said) so that the one who stands is not too arrogant, but constantly remains in the struggle; and he who fell did not despair. So great was the power of the Teacher that he forced even harlots and tax collectors to obey him. What, you say, the One who seduced the harlot did not have the power to attract a disciple? Without a doubt, He was able to persuade the disciple to Himself, but He did not want to make him good under compulsion and draw him to Himself by force. That is why the evangelist, telling us about the action of this ungrateful disciple, said: “then shed,” i.e. not because he was called by others, and not because of violence on anyone’s part, not because of an outside impulse, but he was inclined towards this thanks to his own internal movement, showing that he rushed to this lawless and daring act of his own will and decision, pushed himself to betray the Lord, not driven to this by any external reason, but by anger emanating from within. “Then the shed is one from both.” And this expression: “one of two” serves as a considerable accusation (against Judas). Since there were still seventy other disciples, the (evangelist) said: “one of two,” i.e. of the most chosen, of those who treated Him every day, enjoyed the closest company with Him. So, so that you know that Judas was among the chosen disciples, the evangelist says: “one of two,” and does not remain silent about this, so that you can be convinced that this apparently shameful circumstance, namely, that He honored the traitor and thief with such great benefits and did not cease to admonish him until the very last evening, shows the Lord’s care for us. Do you see how the harlot was saved because she washed (Jesus’s feet), but the disciple died through negligence? Therefore, when looking at the harlot, do not despair, but also do not be presumptuously bold when looking at the disciple. Both are harmful. Our mind is easily inclined to fall, and our will is perverse. Therefore, it is necessary to protect yourself from everywhere. “Then Judas Iscariot was one of two.” Do you see from what face he has fallen? Do you see what teaching you have lost? Do you see how evil carelessness is? “Judas,” he says, “Iscariot,” because there was another one with the same name as him, Judas, called Jacob. You see the wisdom of the Evangelist in that he identifies him to us not by crime, but by place, and he makes him known (Judas of Jacob) not by place, but by the name of his father. Although it would be more consistent to say about the first: Judas is a traitor, but in order to teach us to keep our tongue clean from accusation, he refrains from using this word “traitor.” So, let's learn not to mention reproachfully about any of our enemies. If this blessed (apostle), telling about the lawless crime (of Judas), did not want to reproach the traitor, but kept silent about it, and calls him by the place where he came from, then will we be worthy of any forgiveness if we begin to reproach our neighbors? And we often mention with reproach not only our enemies, but also those who are friendly to us. I convince you not to do this. And Paul also exhorts, saying: “Let not every corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). That’s why blessed Matthew, being pure from any kind of passion of this kind, said: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of two, came alone and said to the bishop, “What do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you” (Matthew 26:14-15)? Oh, villainous voice! Oh, crazy crime! I tremble, beloved, when I think about this. How did the word come out of your mouth? How did the tongue turn? How did the soul not leave the body? How are your lips not numb? How did you not lose your mind? 3. “What do you want to give me, and I will deliver Him to you?” Tell me, Judas, is this what the Teacher taught you for so long? Have you forgotten multiple tips? Isn’t that why He said: “Do not acquire gold or silver” (Matthew 10:9), suppressing your excessive crazy love for money from the very beginning? Did He not exhort, saying: “If anyone strikes you on the right side of the cheek, turn to him the other too” (Matthew 5:39)? Why, tell me, are you betraying the Teacher? Was it because He gave you power over demons, so that you could heal diseases, and cleanse lepers, and show many other similar miracles? So, for such good deeds do you repay Him like this? Oh, madness, or rather, love of money! All this evil was caused by the love of money; The root of evil is the love of money, which darkens our souls and tramples the very laws of nature, deprives us of reason and does not allow us to remember either friendship, or kinship, or anything else, but, once blinding our intelligent eyes, it makes us wander in the dark. To know this more clearly for you, look at how much (good) (this passion) expelled from the soul of Judas. Conversation (with Christ), life (with Him), communication, wonderful teaching, all this was consigned to oblivion by the love of money that had crept into Judas. Paul said well that “the root... of all evil is the love of money” (1 Tim. 6:10). “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” And you, Judas, betray the One who keeps everything by his word? Do you betray the Incomprehensible One, the Creator of heaven and earth? The creator of our nature? Who composed everything with a word and a wave? To show that He is committed according to His will, listen to what He does. At the very moment of betrayal, when they approached Him armed with swords and daggers with lamps and torches, He said to the latter: “Whom are you looking for” (John 18:4)? They didn't even know who they were supposed to take. This is how powerless Judas was to betray Him: He could not even see the One Whom He intended to betray when He was here, and this with lamps and such an abundance of light. That the evangelist, hinting at this, said that they had lamps and torches, and still could not find Him, is clear from the words: “Judas stood... with them” (John 18:5), the one who said: “I will deliver Him to you.” The Lord blinded their minds, wanting to show his own power, and so that they would realize that they were undertaking an impossible task. Then, hearing His voice, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Do you see how they could not even bear the voice and by falling on their faces they clearly revealed their powerlessness? Notice the mercy of the Lord. When even with this the Lord did not touch the hearts of either the shameless traitor or the ungrateful Jews, then He betrays Himself and, as it were, says: when I showed that they were undertaking the impossible, I wanted to restrain their madness; but they do not want to and stubbornly continue to remain in wickedness. Behold, I surrender Myself. I am telling you this so that no one will blame Christ, saying: Why didn’t He change Judas? Why didn't you make it the best? But how should Judas be made prudent and obedient? By force, or by (own) decision? If by force, then even in that case he could not become the best, because no one becomes the best by force. And if by decision and will, then the Lord used everything that could correct him. If Judas did not want to accept healing, then the fault is not of the Doctor, but of the one who rejected the latter’s service. Do you want to know how much money the Lord used to win Judas again? He gave him many miracles, predicted betrayal to him, and did not leave anything that should have been shown in relation to the student. And so that you know that Judas, being able to repent, did not want to do this, and that everything happened from his carelessness (pay attention to this): when he betrayed the Lord and fully revealed his madness, he threw in thirty pieces of silver, saying: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Before this he said: “What do you want to give me, and I will betray Him to you?” When sin was committed, then sin was known! From this we learn that when we are careless, neither persuasion nor exhortation will bring us any benefit, but when we are zealous, we can rebel on our own. Think, in fact: when the Lord admonished him and warned him against the planned atrocity, he did not listen and did not accept the admonition, and when there was no adviser, his own conscience rebelled (against him), and he repented without any teacher and threw away thirty pieces of silver. “I will give him,” they say, “thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15). They set the price of blood to the One who has no price. Why are you taking, Judas, thirty pieces of silver? Christ came freely to shed the Blood for the universe, which you are now agreeing on. What is more shameful than this trade? Who has seen (like this), who has ever heard of it? 4. But in order for us to know what the difference was between the traitor and the disciples, let us listen to (the evangelist). The evangelist tells us everything in detail. When, he says, this happened, when the betrayal approached, when Judas destroyed himself, when he concluded a lawless agreement, “and seeking the opportune time,” he says, “let Him be betrayed” (Matt. 26:16), then the disciples approached Him, saying, “Where you want, we will prepare for you to eat the Passover” (Matt. 26:17)? Do you see the students, do you see the student? This one was concerned about how to betray (the Lord), and those were concerned about how to serve. This one negotiated and plotted to obtain the price of the Lord’s Blood, and they are preparing to serve (the Lord). Both this one and those were participants in the same miracles, the same teachings. Where does the difference come from? From the direction of the will; she serves as the culprit of evil and good. There was an evening when the disciples said: “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal?” We understand from this that Christ did not have a specific dwelling. Let those who build sumptuous houses and vast palaces hear that “the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” That is why the disciples say to Him: “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover for You?” What Easter? The Jewish one, which began in Egypt, because the Jews performed it there for the first time. And why does Christ do it? Just as He fulfilled all the other requirements of the law, so He does so here. Therefore, He said to John: “For it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). So, the disciples wanted to prepare not our Passover, but the Jewish one. They prepared this Easter, but Christ prepared ours, or better yet, He Himself became Easter through honest suffering. Why does He go to suffer? To redeem us from the curse of the law. That’s why Paul exclaimed: “God sent his Son... who is born of woman, who is under the law, that he may redeem those under the law” (Gal. 4:4-5). So, lest anyone say that He abolished the law because He could not fulfill it, as being painful, burdensome and difficult to fulfill, He destroyed it (only) when He fulfilled it all. Therefore, He also celebrated the Passover, since the Passover holiday was one of the requirements of the law. (What is this holiday for) - listen: the Jews were ungrateful to the Benefactor and soon forgot His benefits. And here is your proof: they came out of Egypt, passed through the Red Sea, saw how it was divided and united again, and a little later after that they said to Aaron: “Gods create for us those who will go before us” (Ex. 32:1). What are you saying, ungrateful Jew? Have you seen such miracles and forgotten God, who feeds you, and do not remember the Benefactor at all? So, since they forgot about His benefits, God, by establishing holidays, consolidated the remembrance of the gifts, so that, willy-nilly, they would constantly keep them in memory. This is how they celebrated Easter. For what? So that when (says the Scripture) your son asks you: “What is... this” (Ex. 12:26), you said that with the blood of this lamb (the fathers) anointed the doorposts and escaped the death that the (Angel) destroyer brought on all those living in Egypt, and thanks to this blood he could not enter (in their houses) and bring defeat. So, their sacrifices are not voluntary, but here Christ is sacrificed according to His will. Why? Because that sacrifice was an image of a spiritual sacrifice. And to convince you, look at how much affinity there is (between one and the other). (There) a lamb, (and here) a Lamb, only one is dumb, and the other is verbal. (There) a sheep (and here) a Sheep, but (there) a shadow, (and here) the Truth: the Sun of righteousness appeared, and the shadow disappeared, since in the sun the shadow hides. Therefore, at the Mystical Table (is presented) the Lamb, so that we are sanctified by His Blood. When the sun rises, the lamp cannot be seen, because the past served as an image of the future. 5. I say this to the Jews so that they do not think, deceiving themselves, that they are celebrating the Passover, because with a shameless thought they anticipate unleavened bread and delight in the holiday - Jews who are not circumcised in heart and have difficulty hearing with their ears. How, tell me, do you celebrate Passover, Jew? The church was razed to the ground, the altar was destroyed, the Holy of Holies was destroyed, all the sacrifices were destroyed. Why do you dare to break the law? Once taken to Babylon, you heard those who captivated you say: “Sing to us the song of the Lord” (Ps. 137:3), and you did not fulfill (their desires). So why do you celebrate Passover outside of Jerusalem? You said: “How can we sing the song of the Lord in foreign lands” (Ps. 136:4)? And pointing to this, blessed David says: “On the river of Babylon, there was a gray horse and a mourner...; in the midst of both willows are our organs” (Ps. 136:1-2), – i.e. psalter, zither and lyre, because they were used in ancient times and psalms were sung to their sounds. “There,” he says, “they asked us about the words of the songs”; and we answered: “How can we sing the song of the Lord in foreign lands” (Ps. 136:3-4)? What, tell me, are you saying? You don’t sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, but you celebrate Passover in a foreign land? Do you see the foolishness of the Jews? When enemies forced them, they did not want to sing a psalm in a foreign land, but now on their own, when no one forces them, they are at enmity with God. That is why blessed Stephen told them: “You continually resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51). Do you see how unclean unleavened bread is? How is a Jewish holiday illegal? There was once a Jewish Passover, but it stopped. Then, says (the Gospel), when they were eating and drinking, Jesus, taking bread into His holy and most pure hands, giving thanks and breaking it, said to His disciples: “Take, eat: this is My Body, broken for you and for many for the remission of sins.” Then, taking the cup, he gave it to them, saying: “This is My Blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). Judas was also here when the Lord spoke these words. “This is the Blood,” O Judas, which you sold for thirty pieces of silver! “This is the Blood,” about which not long before you shamelessly bargained with the ungrateful Pharisees. Oh, the great mercy of Christ! Oh, the ingratitude of Judas! The master fed, and the slave sold. This one sold Him, taking thirty pieces of silver, and Christ gave His own Blood as a ransom for us, and He would have given it to the seller, if of course he had wished, because before the betrayal Judas was also here, was a participant in the Holy Table and ate the Last Supper. Just as the Lord washed the feet of the disciples, so Judas took part in the Holy Meal (together with everyone) so that he would not have any justification, but would receive his judgment. He remained stubborn in his wicked decision and, having left, committed betrayal instead of a kiss, not remembering the good deeds of the Lord, and after the betrayal he threw thirty pieces of silver, saying: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Oh, blindness! You were a participant in the Supper and betrayed the Benefactor? But the Lord voluntarily fulfilled what was written, “and woe... to him to whom temptation comes” (Matthew 18:7). 6. But it’s time to finally begin this terrible and formidable Meal. So, let's get started with a clear conscience. Let there be no Judas here, who treats his neighbor with wickedness, (let not any of the wicked approach, who has hidden poison in his heart). And now Christ is present, arranging the Meal. The one who transforms what is presented into the Body and Blood of Christ is not a man. The priest only stands, fulfilling the image, and offers prayer, and everything is accomplished by the grace and power of God. “This,” he says, “is My Body.” This saying proposes the present. And just as that saying, which read: “Grow and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28), was a word - and became a deed, giving human nature the strength to give birth to children, so this saying, which says (this is My Body), constantly increases the power of grace of those who worthily receive (the Holy Meal). So, let there be (here) neither the evil one, nor the wicked, nor the predator, nor the scolder, nor the brother-hater, nor the lover of money, nor the drunkard, nor the covetous, nor the sodomite, nor the envious, nor let there be (here) one given over to fornication, nor a thief, nor an attacker, so as not to be subject to judgment. Then Judas unworthily participated in the Last Supper and, going out, betrayed the Lord. (This happened this way) so that you would know that those who unworthily participate in the Sacraments are especially always attacked by the devil, and that they are subject to greater punishment. I say this not to frighten you, but to make you more attentive to yourself. Just as bodily food, when it enters a weak stomach, intensifies the disease, so spiritual food, when it is taken unworthily, brings great condemnation. So, I urge, let no one (approach) having unclean thoughts in their souls, but let us cleanse our hearts. We are churches of God if we remain pure. Let's make our soul pure. After all, this can be done in one day. How and in what way? If you have something against the enemy, give up your anger, stop the enmity, in order to receive remission of sins from the Meal. You are about to begin the Terrible and Holy Sacrifice. Christ is presented as the one to be slain. But think about why He was slain. Oh, what Secrets have you lost, Judas! Christ voluntarily suffered in order to destroy the “mediastinum of the fence” (Eph. 2:14) and unite earthly things with Heavenly things, so that you, an enemy and foe, could be made a fellow member of the Angels. Christ gave His soul for you, and you harbor enmity towards your fellow servant? And how can you begin to eat the Meal of Peace? Your Lord did not refuse to endure everything for your sake, and you do not even want to abandon your anger? Why? - Tell me. Love is the root, source and mother of all blessings. Would you say he offended me very much, caused too much harm, almost put me in mortal danger? But what's in it? He has not yet crucified you on the cross, as the Jews crucified the Lord. If you do not leave your neighbor offended, then your Heavenly Father will not forgive you your sins. And with what conscience will you say: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name” and the following words (Matthew 6:9)? In the same way, Christ gave the Blood that the Jews shed for the salvation of those who shed. What can you do that is equal to this? If you do not forgive the enemy, then you will not offend him, but yourself. You have often harmed him during this life, but you have prepared eternal punishment for yourself on the future day (of judgment), because God does not hate anyone so much, does not turn away from anyone so much, as from a vindictive person, as from an angry heart and a soul burning (with hatred). Listen to what the Lord says: “If you bring your gift to the altar, and remember that one, because your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar, and go first and humble yourself with your brother, and then come and bring your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). What are you saying? I will leave a gift there, i.e. sacrifice? Yes, he says, because for the sake of peace with your brother the very sacrifice was established. So, if a sacrifice (is made) for the sake of peace with your neighbor, and you do not keep peace, then even if you participated in the sacrifice, this participation is useless for you without the desire to keep peace. So, first do that (i.e., take care of the world) for which the sacrifice was made, and then enjoy the good fruits of the latter. For this reason, the Son of God came into the world to reconcile our nature to the Father, just as Paul says: “Now reconcile all things to yourself by the cross, having put to death the enmity therein” (Col. 1:22; Eph. 2:16). Therefore, He not only Himself came to create the world, but also pleases us if we do the same, and makes us partakers of His name (saying): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for these shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). So, what Christ, the Son of God, did, do you also according to human strength, caring for peace both with yourself and with your neighbor. This is why (the Lord) calls the peacemaker the Son of God, which is why, when making a sacrifice, He did not mention any other righteous deed except reconciliation with his brother, showing that love is greater than all virtues. I would like, beloved, to continue the speech further, but what has been said is enough for those who with attention and understanding accept the seed of piety and want to listen to what they say. Let us always remember, I convince (you), these words and the terrible greeting that we give to each other. This greeting unites our souls and makes them all become one body and members of Christ, because we are all participants in one Body. Let us truly be one body, not mixing bodies, but uniting souls with each other in a union of love. By doing this, we will be able to boldly enjoy the Table before us and finally become vessels of the peace given by Christ. If we have countless perfections, but remain vindictive, then we do everything in vain and in vain, and we will not receive any fruit in the consideration of salvation. Just before ascending to the Father, instead of temporary glory and great wealth, the Savior leaves the following legacy to the disciples: “My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you” (John 14:27). Indeed, what wealth or what abundance of property would be more valuable than the peace of Christ, which surpasses all mind and word? That is why the prophet Malachi, knowing that this is the most serious vice, spoke as if on behalf of God: my people, “speak the truth to everyone who is sincere, and let no one think evil in his sincere heart, “and do not love lying oaths,” and you will not die, O house of Israel, says the Lord (Zechariah 8:16-17); it is as if He said: if you are liars, vindictive, perjurers, and forget My commandments, you will die. So, knowing all this, beloved, let us leave all anger, let us begin to be at peace with each other and, having uprooted the root of evil and cleared our conscience, with meekness, humility and great reverence we will begin to receive these terrible and terrible Sacraments, we will approach without pushing, without stamping our feet, without noise and shouting, in great fear and trembling, with contrition and tears, so that the merciful Lord, Having looked down from heaven on our peaceful state, unfeigned love and brotherly fellowship of love, He has honored us all, both present and promised blessings, with the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father with the Holy Spirit be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. The time of delivery of this conversation is unknown with certainty; one can only assume that it was uttered earlier than the second conversation below. You might be interested in: