Fr Peter Helman

Dear beloved,

Each Holy Week compresses into so few days the memory of the unyielding inertia of history's long-awaited end. I mean by its "end" not the unraveling dissolution of all things but rather, from the Greek notion télos, history's fulfillment, the consummation of its purpose that God set from the foundation of the world; that in Christ God was reconciling the world and restoring all things in heaven and earth, and under the earth, to himself. Even this morning what we could not imagine in the time before---what no eye has seen nor ear has heard--begins its inexorable pilgrimage to the cross and beyond.

For several years I have returned again and again to a series of patristic reflections appropriate to each day of Holy Week. They help focus my wandering attention as each day of Holy Week seems always to pass more quickly to the next. I try to keep up with our Lord as he has set his face toward his Passion.

This morning I'd like to share with you the reading turn to for Monday of Holy Week. It is a portion of a homily by Saint John Chrysostom. I hope it may also direct your hearts to the mystery of God's love this week as we are led step by step with Jesus towards what he will accomplish on our behalf.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Peter
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The cross used to denote punishment but is has now become a focus of glory. It was formerly a symbol of condemnation but it is now seen as a principle of salvation. For it has now become the source of immeasurable blessings: it has delivered us from error, enlightened our darkness, and reconciled us to God; we had become God's enemies and were foreigners afar off, and it has given us his friendship and brought us close to him. For us it has become the destruction of enmity, the token of peace, the treasury of a thousand blessings.

Thanks to the cross we are no longer wandering in the wilderness, because we know the right road; we are no longer outside the royal palace because we have found the way in; we are not afraid of the devil's fiery darts because we have discovered the fountain. Thanks to the cross we are no longer in a state of widowhood for we are reunited to the Bridegroom; we are not afraid of the wolf because we have the Good Shepherd. Thanks to the cross we dread to usurper, since we are sitting beside the King.

That is why we keep festival as we celebrate the memory of the cross. Saint Paul himself invites us to this festival in honour of the cross: "Let us celebrate the feast not with the old leaven, that of corruption and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." And he tells us why, saying: "Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us."

Now do you see why he appoints a festival in honour of the cross? It is because Christ was immolated on the cross. And were he was sacrificed, there is found abolition of sins and reconciliation with the Lord; and there, too, festivity and happiness are found: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."