5th Sunday of the Great Fast St Mary of Egypt

Our Venerable Father Nicetas, Confessor and Hegumen-Abbot; St Theodosia, Virgin-Martyr

Ambon Prayer 17

Title

Following Jesus

Outline

Before playing follow the leader, you should know where the leader is going

Lemmings follow along in the herd unquestioningly, but sometimes the herd is heading for and over a cliff

A soldier may follow the first sergeant through harrowing and difficult experiences, but they trust that he knows how to get them out of danger

Trauma, of course, can make a person unquestioningly compliant or resistant to following anyone

Now look at our readings

Jesus is going up to Jerusalem for the final time

His body language had engendered fear in those following

He then spoke to the Twelve and described what would happen: the key events of his crucifixion but also his resurrection.

While they had certainly seen crucifixions at least at a distance, this did not fit their expectations of Jesus and they had no experience of resurrection, so it does not seem to register - perhaps it did so only after the traumatic event

Two of the Twelve, two of the three Jesus chose as witnesses to more private events, politely asked to sit on Jesus’ right and left “in your glory.” That is, in his Messianic rule. Now there is deep faith or commitment for you. There is also a harmony between the brothers - no arguing about who should get right and who left - that is left up to Jesus.

Jesus responds, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” He had just talked about his immediate destination and what would happen and they have not “gotten” it.

“Oh, yes we are ready,” they respond. Perhaps thinking about noble feats of arms in battle at the side of their Messiah. That is how the previous claimants had tried to gain their crown.

“The chalice that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

This was true: while Stephen was the first martyr, James was the next, and while there are various stories about various Johns, at the least he would have unpleasant experiences. But Jesus makes clear that they have asked the wrong person - he will not make the decision.

Of course, the rest of the disciples are upset with James and John, for they seem to “have pulled a fast one on Charlie” and tried to get to the head of the line and gain the honors each had hoped to get. They, too, were not thinking about crucifixion and humiliation.

The result was that when the crucifixion happened, they all fled, although if John was “the disciple who Jesus loved” he eventually ends up at the foot of the cross.

Discovering that they were following Jesus to where they did not want to go engendered panic in them, panic of which they would later be ashamed.

Jesus, however, knows where he is going

He is the true High Priest whose outward crucifixion is an inward offering of his own blood that will be presented in God’s presence (the Holy Place) for the once for all purification of the sins of those very disciples, among many others. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

Because he knew where he was going and because he is going at the direction of the Spirit he does not flinch in his decisive action - he knows he is going through the cross to resurrection to the presence of God.

There are two sides to this for us, brothers and sisters

First, there is the side of worship: Jesus, knowing where he was going followed the Spirit to a humiliating death for our benefit. Because he went into the presence of God with his blood we can enter the presence of God with a clear conscience.

Second, if you follow Jesus there will be the way of the cross. You will experience loss and trauma. But you will not do it for their own sake, but because you are with Jesus and in order to come into the presence of God with him.

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 4-10-2022: Fifth Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

EPISTLE

Hebrews 9:11–14

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13  For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 4-10-2022: Fifth Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

GOSPEL

Mark 10:32–45

32  And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the Twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33  saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; 34  and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise.”

35  And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37  And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38  But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39  And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42  And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43  But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45  For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (4-3-2022: Fifth Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt)

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | TRIODION AND GREAT LENT

FIFTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT OR SUNDAY OF SAINT MARY OF EGYPT

Bright or Dark Vestments Divine Liturgy of St Basil

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 4-10-2022: Fifth Sunday of Great Lent or Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

Matins Gospel John 20:19–31 (42nd Sunday)

Epistle Hebrews 9:11–14

Gospel Mark 10:32–45