Do you not see how Judas, after partaking of the Body of the Master unworthily and treacherously, was immediately condemned and gave more room to the Evil One? For, Scripture says: And when he had taken the sop, Satan at once entered into him (John 13:27); not because the Devil disdained that Bread, but so as to convict the partaker of communing to his own condemnation. For with what conscience, tell me, do you approach the Mysteries? In what state of soul, with what thoughts, having your conscience within you as your accuser? Tell me, if you were carrying dung in your hands, would you dare to touch the kings robes? And why am I saying this? You would not touch even your own clothes with dirty hands, but you would first wash them and dry them, and then you would touch your clothing. Why, therefore, do you not render to God the honour that you accord to mere clothing? And tell me, what forgiveness will you enjoy? For, it is not entering into the Church of God and venerating the sacred figures on the Holy Icons and the Precious Cross that is pleasing to God; nor is it washing one’s hands in water that constitutes cleansing, but, rather, avoiding and washing away the filth of sins both by confession and by tears, and purging away the stains of sins by means of a humbled soul. Only thus may we approach the Immaculate Mysteries.
But perhaps someone will say: It is not pleasant for me to weep and lament over myself. And why is this? It is because you do not toil, you lack understanding, and you do not take into account the fearful Day of Judgment. However, if you cannot weep, at least groan heavily, look sad, and restrain laughter; at least cast away elation and stand before the Master with fear, inclining your eyes to the ground and confessing to Him with a downcast spirit. Do you not see how those who stand before an earthly king—and oftentimes even an ungodly one—stand before him with all reverence, gazing at him with trembling, not saying anything or moving, and without agitation, but stand before him in silence and awe? But we stand in the Church of God as if we were in a theatre or a bathhouse, laughing, babbling, and chattering. Thus, we deceive ourselves, failing to keep in mind that we are standing in church.
Do you not know that the Church of God is a surgery and a harbour? Now, if you remain in a surgery ailing and unhealed, when, henceforth, will you be cured? And if you are tempest-tossed in a harbour, where, hereafter, will you find rest? Stand with reverence, I implore you. Stand with awe at the fearful hour of the Anaphora; for with whatever attitude and thoughts each of you attends at that hour, such also is the frame of mind in which he offers worship to the Master. The oblation is called the Anaphora because it is offered up to God. Therefore, stand before God in silence and compunction. Confess your sins to God through the Priests. Condemn your actions and do not be ashamed; for, there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame which is glory and grace (Ecclesiasticus 4:2 1). Condemn yourself before men, so that the Judge may justify you before Angels and the whole world. Seek mercy, seek forgiveness, seek remission of past sins and deliverance from future sins, so that you may approach the Mysteries worthily, so that you may partake of the Body and Blood with a pure conscience, and so that it may be for you unto purification and not unto condemnation. Hear what the Divine Paul says: Let each man examine himself, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (I Cor 11:27-30). Do you notice that illness and death result, for the most part, from approaching the Divine Mysteries unworthily?
But perhaps you will say: And who is worthy? I, too, am aware of this. However, you will become worthy, if only you desire it. Recognize that you are a sinner. Cut yourself off from sin. Desist from sin, wickedness, and anger. Display the works of repentance; endue yourself with prudence, meekness, and forbearance. Show compassion from the fruits of righteousness for those in need, and you will have become worthy. Beseech God with a contrite heart, and He will fulfill your petitions; for, if you do not do this, you will be wasting the time that you spend in church. These are not my words, but the voice of the Master: And why say ye, Lord, Lord, and do not My will? (cf Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46); for, faith without works is dead (James 2:20). And why, someone will object, because I have evil deeds, should I not pray? Why should I not spend time in the Church of God? This is not what I am saying, nor do I even countenance it. But I beseech you to pray as you ought, so that when we draw near to God in our prayers, we may stand before Him in a way that befits Him, lest Christ say to us as He did to the Jews: My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (Matt. 21:13). For, if those who sold and bought in the Judaic temple were beaten by the Lord and expelled, what kind of punishment and Gehenna is in store for those who slander each other and remember wrongs? What suffering will be inflicted on us who swear allegiance to God, but are subject to the Devil?
For, since the Priest is a mediator between God and man and propitiates God for the remission of the sins of the multitude, consider how he fortifies everyone in advance and bears witness, as if saying words such as these to the people: Since you have established me, O my people, as a mediator before God on your behalf at this mystical Table, I implore you, be as zealous as I am. Refrain from all worldly thoughts. Forsake every bodily care. It is time for fervent prayer, not for idle pursuits. Hear what the Deacon exclaims to you, when he says: Let us stand well, let us stand with fear. Let us be attentive to the holy Oblation, let us incline our necks, let us restrain our minds, let us hold our tongues, let us give wings to our minds, and let us ascend to Heaven. Let us lift up our minds and hearts, let us raise the eye of our soul up to God, let us traverse Heaven, let us go past the Angels, let us go past the Cherubim, and let us run to the very Throne of the Master, let us grasp Christ’s immaculate feet themselves, let us weep, let us, as it were, compel Him to be compassionate, and let us give thanks in the holy, heavenly, and ethereal Sanctuary.
The Priest affirms these things to us when he says: Let us lift up our hearts. What do we then say in response to these words? We lift them up unto the Lord. What are you saying? What are you doing? Our minds are distracted by corruptible and transient things, and they devote themselves to vanities, possessions, pleasures, and court cases. And you say: I lift it [my heart] up unto the Lord? Make sure, I beseech you, that you have your heart elevated to the Lord, and not lowered to the Devil. What are you doing, O man? The Priest is offering the bloodless Sacrifice to the Master for your sake, and you view it with disdain? The Priest is struggling for your sake. Standing before the Altar as if before a dread tribunal, he implores and urges that the Grace of the Holy Spirit might come down to you from on high, and you take no thought for your own salvation? Do not carry on like this, I beg you. Abandon this evil and vain habit. Cry out with the Priest who is struggling for you, toil with him who prays for you. Offer yourself for your salvation: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). It will be effectual if you struggle together with the Priest and manifest the fruits of repentance; for, when one buildeth and another pulleth down, what profit have they except labours? (Ecclesiasticus 31:23). What is not terrible about this destruction, when you not only lie to Christ at that dread hour of the Divine Eucharist, but also feel rancour towards your own brothers, although you say in the Lord’s Prayer, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matt. 6:12)?
