Commentary on Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 1–47

Homily 12

110 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Let us give glory to our merciful God for all these things, not only in word but much more in deed, in order that we may also obtain these blessings hereafter. May it be granted to all of us to attain to these through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom and with whom glory be to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen. Homily 12 (John 1.14) 'And we saw his glory-glory as of the only-begotten of the Father-full of grace and of truth.' Perhaps it seemed to you last time that we were more bothersome and tiresome than was necessary, and that we were employing a somewhat sharp manner of speaking, and drawing out at too great length our indictment of the indifference of most of you. Now, if we had done this only through a desire to annoy you, each one of you would have reason to be indignant. But if, because we were thinking only of the help we could give you, we disregarded in our words what might gain your favor, even though you are unwilling to approve us for our forethought, at least you are bound to pardon such great affection as ours. We have been very much afraid lest, while we were trying so hard [in addressing you], if you were unwilling to show the same effort in listening, the future judgment would be more severe for you. That is why we continually insist on your being attentive and keeping awake so that nothing at all of what is said may escape you. In this way you may both live with much confidence now, and in that day stand confidently at the tribunal of Christ. Accordingly, since but recently we have upbraided you enough, come, let us at the outset today proceed to the text itself. HOMILIES 111 'And we saw,' he said, 'His glory-glory as of the onlybegotten of the Father.' After saying that we became sons of God and showing that this came about not otherwise than because the Word became flesh, he spoke of still another benefit resulting from this. Now, what is it? 'We saw His gloryglory as of the only-begotten of the Father.' We should not have seen it if we had not seen it in His Body that was like our own. Indeed, though Moses shared the same nature with us, men of that time could not bear to look at his face which had merely become radiant. And even the just man needed the protection of a veil sufficient to shield the brilliance of that glory from him, and to show the face of their Prophet to them, with its radiance dimmed and, therefore, not dazzling to behold.l How, then, could we, creatures of clay and born of earth, endure the Godhead unveiled, when it is inaccessible to the very powers above? For this reason He dwelt among us, that we might be able to come to Him, and speak with Him, and be in His company without any fear. And what is the 'glory as of the only-begotten of the Father'? Many of the Prophets also have been glorified; for example, Moses himself, Elias, Eliseus-the one encircled by a fiery chariot, the other taken up by one.2 And after these Daniel,3 and the three children,4 and the many others who worked miracles, were glorified. Besides, certain angels appeared among men and revealed to those who saw them something of the brilliant light of their own nature. And not angels only, but also the Cherubim, were seen by the Prophet in great glory, and the Seraphim likewise. Therefore, the Evangelist , to draw us away from all these and make our minds depart from the brightness of creation and of our fellow slaves, 1 Cf. Exod. 34.29-35. 2 Cf. 4 Kings 2.11. 3 Cf. Dan. 14.42_ 4 Cf. Dan. 3.92. 112 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM set us on the very pinnacle of blessedness. 'We saw the glory,' he said, 'not of a prophet, or of an angel, or of an archangel, or of the higher powers, or of any other created natureif , that is, there is another-but of the Lord Himself, of the King Himself, of His own only-begotten Son, of Him who is the...