Bishop and Great Western Father of the Church
An excerpt from Sermon 329
Optional Memorial: Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
In the glorious deeds of the holy martyrs who everywhere adorn the Church, we verify the truth of what we have been singing: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. They are precious in our sight and in the sight of him in whose name it was done. The price paid for these deaths was the death of one man. How many deaths indeed this one man bought by dying, for if he had not died, the grain of wheat would not have been multiplied! You have heard what he said as he drew near to his passion, our redemption: If the grain of wheat does not fall to the ground and die, it remains barren, but if it dies, it is very fruitful.
On the cross Christ effected a great exchange. There the purse containing the price to be paid for us was opened. When the soldier's lance cut its way into his side, the price paid for the whole world flowed forth. The martyrs and all the faithful were bought with it, but the faith of the martyrs was also tested: their blood bore witness to their faith. They gave back what had been paid for them and lived up to what Saint John says: As Christ laid down his life for us, so we should lay down our lives for our brothers. Elsewhere we read: You have taken your seat at the great table; consider carefully what is set before you, for you must prepare the same in return.
The great table is the one at which the Lord of the banquet is himself the food. No one feeds the guests with his very self, yet that is what Christ the Lord does. He invites and he is the food and drink. The martyrs took careful note of what they ate and drank, so that they might return the same. But how could they return the same unless the one who had first given it, gave them also the means of making a return? What shall I give back to the Lord for all that he has given me? I shall take the cup of salvation.
What cut is that? The bitter and saving cup of suffering, the cup the sick man would be afraid to put to his lips unless the doctor had drunk of it first. That is the cup meant here, and we find Christ himself speaking of it: Father, if possible, let this cup pass away from me. Of it the martyrs said: I shall take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Are you not afraid that you may fail the test? But why should you be? I shall call upon the name of the Lord. How else did the martyrs overcome, except that in them he overcame who said: Rejoice, for I have overcome the world? The Lord of heaven directed their minds and tongues; through them he overcame the devil on earth and crowned them as martyrs in heaven. Happy are they who have thus drunk of this cup, for their suffering is over, and they have received their honors.
On the cross Christ effected a great exchange. There the purse containing the price to be paid for us was opened. When the soldier's lance cut its way into his side, the price paid for the whole world flowed forth. The martyrs and all the faithful were bought with it, but the faith of the martyrs was also tested: their blood bore witness to their faith. They gave back what had been paid for them and lived up to what Saint John says: As Christ laid down his life for us, so we should lay down our lives for our brothers. Elsewhere we read: You have taken your seat at the great table; consider carefully what is set before you, for you must prepare the same in return.
The great table is the one at which the Lord of the banquet is himself the food. No one feeds the guests with his very self, yet that is what Christ the Lord does. He invites and he is the food and drink. The martyrs took careful note of what they ate and drank, so that they might return the same. But how could they return the same unless the one who had first given it, gave them also the means of making a return? What shall I give back to the Lord for all that he has given me? I shall take the cup of salvation.
What cut is that? The bitter and saving cup of suffering, the cup the sick man would be afraid to put to his lips unless the doctor had drunk of it first. That is the cup meant here, and we find Christ himself speaking of it: Father, if possible, let this cup pass away from me. Of it the martyrs said: I shall take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Are you not afraid that you may fail the test? But why should you be? I shall call upon the name of the Lord. How else did the martyrs overcome, except that in them he overcame who said: Rejoice, for I have overcome the world? The Lord of heaven directed their minds and tongues; through them he overcame the devil on earth and crowned them as martyrs in heaven. Happy are they who have thus drunk of this cup, for their suffering is over, and they have received their honors.
Collect
May You be magnified, O Lord,
by the revered memory of
Your Saints Cosmas and Damian,
for with providence beyond words
You have conferred on them
everlasting glory, and on us,
Your unfailing help.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your son, Who lives and reigns with
You in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
by the revered memory of
Your Saints Cosmas and Damian,
for with providence beyond words
You have conferred on them
everlasting glory, and on us,
Your unfailing help.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your son, Who lives and reigns with
You in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
