Third Sunday of the Great Fast. Veneration of the Holy Cross

Veneration of the Cross at Matins after overnight on the altar

Ambon Prayer 15

Our Venerable Father and Confessor Theophane of the Sygrian Mountain. Our Holy Father Symeon, the New Theologian

Title

The Way Up is the Way Down

Outline

What is this “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”?

People follow a leader, whether it be Mr Trump, Mr. Biden, Mr Putin or a host of religious, business, and media leaders to feel good about themselves, to feel secure in life, to grasp a vision (whether it be “make America great again” or “Mother Russia” or “your attitude determines your altitude”). This does not sound like feeling good or being part of a success.

There are four parts to this statement that are critical

The first is, “deny himself,” which is not “feel bad about himself,” but set aside any and all aspirations but those of following Jesus. A good soldier is focused, not his own interests, but on fulfilling the goals of his CO. A company man feels the same about his company - which is one reason there are fewer of them now. So long as we are trying to use Jesus or the company or the organization we belong to, even the family, to fulfill our goals, we are a drag on it and will never succeed.

The second is, “take up his cross,” which is to lay aside all desire for honor, wealth, power, and health and instead consider those things loss, for one is on a total degradation ritual track - for the love of Jesus.

The third is, “follow me,” follow Jesus. Where he goes, I will go, as he acts, I will act, what he believes, I will believe - I only want to be close to him, to be where he is - even thought that is on a cross.

The fourth is not in the statement but in the context: “see the kingdom of God come with power.” Or “we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.” We do not ignore or forget the cross, but we realize that for Jesus was and for us it is a gateway to the kingdom, to Jesus, so long as we embrace it as part of following him.

There you have it, brothers and sisters: the cross is the way to follow Jesus, the gateway to glory.

This is not our glory, but Jesus’ glory, a glory that we will share because we have followed him

We have a helper, Jesus, for he can sympathize with us, understanding our human weakness.

We have a source of mercy and help, for there is a throne of grace.

We have a hope, even if it is, “whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” This is what Thomas a Kempis talks about in his Meditations on Death - to gain this world is to lose one’s life but to live for the future life (which one already experiences in part) is to give meaning to all that one does.

We have a choice: who are we ashamed of? One can reject the cross and choose oneself, being ashamed of Christ, or one can do the opposite. God will help, but the choice is our choice.

We exalt the Holy Cross; yes, because Jesus made it the crowbar to smash the gates of hell and the ladder into heaven and the altar on which his great sacrifice was offered, among other things. But also because as we follow Jesus to the cross it is the gateway into a new life, our hope of real meaning, and finally our entrance into real life, which is life with Jesus.

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 3-19-2023: Third Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of the Holy Cross

EPISTLE

Hebrews 4:14–5:6

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5  So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

6  as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest for ever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 3-19-2023: Third Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of the Holy Cross

GOSPEL

Mark 8:34–9:1

34  And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35  For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what can a man give in return for his life? 38  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 9  And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (3-12-2023: Third Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of the Holy Cross)

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023 | TRIODION AND GREAT LENT

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 3-19-2023: Third Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of the Holy Cross

THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT OR SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS

Dark Vestments

Matins Gospel John 20:1–10 (40th Sunday)

Epistle Hebrews 4:14–5:6

Gospel Mark 8:34–9:1

Violet or Red