The Shepherd, April 2005
HOMILY ON GREAT THURSDAY
BEFORE THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES
From the Works of Archbishop Innocent of Cherson
My time is at hand; I will keep the passover
at thy house with My disciples.
Matthew 26:19
IN THIS WAY they were told to instruct the master of the house in which the Saviour intended to celebrate His last passover. But who this fortunate householder was, we are not told, and those who were sent to prepare had to recognise him in a certain place. It was because the betrayer was seeking every opportunity to bring about his plans, that it was necessary for the place of the passover to be kept secret until it had been celebrated. But when it had been celebrated, then without any shadow of doubt, everyone knew at whose place it had been held. However, even after the event, not one of the Evangelists tells us the name of this fortunate master of the house. Commentators on the Sacred Scriptures suggest various reasons for this continued secrecy. But, it seems, that we shall not be sinning if we say that the name of that man was wrapped in silence, because he represents every true follower of Christ.
And more particularly, brethren, might it not be that he represents us, who intend to approach for communion of the Holy Mysteries? You desire to taste of the Lord’s Pascha, to commune of the Body and Blood of our Saviour; And our Saviour and Lord desires to partake of this passover with you, to commune in all good faith with your soul and body, to be united with each one of you unto the ages. Do not marvel at this, and do not consider it a just a turn of phrase which I have conjured up. The Apostle did not twist words, but rather proclaimed the truth when he wrote that forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same (Heb. 2:14). The Saviour and Lord partook of the flesh and blood of all mankind, when He took on Him our nature. But now He desires to partake with the soul, flesh and blood of each one of us; He desires to make us all temples and abodes for Himself; He desires to be the very basis of our life, to occupy our mind and heart. It is to such a mystical communion that I dare to invite you as from the very person of the Lord! The words are mine own (just as anyone else were conversing with you and speaking his own), but the thoughts are taken from His conversation with the disciples. If you are His true disciples, or at the very least, you want to be, then do not consider them strange or as not applying to you.
My time is at hand, the Lord says. That is as if He had said: “My earthly ministry is coming to an end; I have finished the work which My Heavenly Father gave Me to do (see John 17:4). I have proclaimed His name and love to My brethren - to men; I have declared the blessedness of those who weep, of the meek, of the merciful, of those who are persecuted and suffering; nor have I hidden the sorrow which awaits the guileful, the proud, the rapacious and the breakers of oaths. Now it only remains for Me to bear witness to the truth of My teaching in very deed and take up the Cross, which I Myself have preached to all, and go with it to Golgotha as an example to all. My time is at hand; the perfidious disciple has already betrayed Me, the silver has been offered and accepted; the prince of the world has descended from his throne to engage in single-combat with Me (John 14:30); the supper is ready; it only remains to go in and partake of it, to accept the false kiss, and to give My back to the smiters and My cheeks to them that pluck out the hair (Es. 50:6).
But before I finish My course and depart to the Father, I desire to share my feelings with you, My followers; I desire to somehow mark the New Covenant, which is established in My Blood; I desire to leave a lasting memorial of My love for you; with desire I have desire to eat this passover with you before I suffer (Luke 22:15).
“But where shall I eat it? Jerusalem is full of My enemies. In the courts of Annas and Caiaphas hypocrisy, pride and simony abide. There they are ready to tear their garments, not so that they might be spread under Me on My way, but so that they might expose Me. I shall be there, but not for the passover; rather to accept the reviling and the spitting. Pilate’s praetorium is vaster; and there alongside love of the world there exists a certain love for justice; but there the name of a friend of Caesar’s is more important than the name of the friend of right and of God; it is not fitting that I should partake of the passover with Tiberius’ confidants. They only wash their hands before the people; let them do it. I shall wash the feet of My disciples. It is better to be judged than to be the judge on that Pavement. Nonetheless, when it is necessary, I shall appear there too, that I might accept the crown of thorns.
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