The Shepherd, April 2005
HOMILY ON GREAT THURSDAY
BEFORE THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY MYSTERIES, 2
And so, My time is at hand, and I have have no place or refuge. Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head (Matt. 8:20). I was born in a manger, I die upon a cross. What shall I do? Abandon the passover? But I came not to destroy the law … but to fulfil it (Matt. 5:17). And how can the passover,which prefigures My death, be neglected? What then shall I do? This will I do: I will eat the passover with My disciples.
With you, Christian, with you, who are called My disciple and have promised to follow Me even unto death. If even you cannot offer Me refuge, then where shall I find it? But you cannot not grant it; by My Blood you were granted rebirth in the font of Baptism; you were anointed and sealed by My Spirit; you are nourished by My Body and Blood; you hope for life eternal in My name; how can you not receive Me and grant Me rest?
And so, where is the large upper room (Luke 22:12), where I might be accommodated with all My gifts? Where is the unleavened bread of purity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8)? Where the bitter herbs - selflessness and patience? Where the paschal Lamb - a clean heart and a broken spirit (Ps 50)? Employ all that you have, furnish My supper, that you might be comforted by that which is imparted to you: My grace.
But instead of rejoicing at the voice of the Bridegroom (John 3:29), you are silent, like one condemned. I see the reason: In your interior man there is no where to lay the head; your house is desolate and fallen; there is no lantern of faith, no oil of love; everything is filled with uncleanness, with passions and injurious thoughts. Woe unto you! The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up (John 2:17). But My time is at hand, and maybe your time is not far off: when I shall come again, I will then not find you upon earth. Of necessity, you should not waste time. Rather hasten! Do not allow our common enemy, the devil, to win victory over you. I have the means to put all aright; consent only to be Mine, only open the doors of your heart, only grant Me to fill all your inner being. I shall be in you, then everything will immediately take on a different aspect. I shall change everything that I had formerly disposed: now I shall Myself wash the feet. I shall Myself be the light, Myself the Lamb. Do not sorrow; we shall be satisfied, and we both shall be made glad: you in Me and I in you. Only leave off inclining unto sin; for ever estrange yourselves from an evil way of life; resolve to be completely Mine!
From your individual faces, brethren, I see that, although it issues forth through my lips that are unworthy, the Lord’s call to you has not been devoid of any effect upon you. I then only desire that its effect will remain long with you and and will leave indelible marks in you. And how can it not remain? You have heard the word; now you behold the deed. What have I imparted to you? It is the Lord Who imparts to you His Body and Blood. Can such a gift not touch him who receives it? For when we, His ministers, speak to you in His name, does He Himself remain silent within you? He is always informing us within our conscience; then how much the more He speaks to us within the heart through His mystical (sacramental) union with us. So let each pay heed to what the Lord is saying to him now. Does peace speak? Accept it with thanksgiving and safeguard it within a pure conscience. Or does some accusing voice speak? Equally give thanks, and make haste to put right that which you are convicted of. Are you charged to cast out the traders from your inner temple? Do not shift, do not be defensive, but all the more unite yourself to Him and take action. The Lord Himself will instruct you in everything that you must do (Acts 9:6); only hearken and fulfil it! Amen.
Translated from the 1987 Trinity Russian Orthodox Calendar, published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N.Y.
Archbishop Innocent of Cherson was born Ivan Alekseevich Borisov in 1800 in the Orlov government, and graduated from the Kiev Spiritual Academy. He was a renowned theologian and preacher and died in 1857. 
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