Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 5

Cyril of Jerusalem

Lecture 5

https://www.swrktec.org/catechism

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good report.” — Hebrews 11:1-2

Summary: Baptism brings the teachings of faith, by which we do works in obedience to Scripture and its summary in the Creed; Baptism bestows gifts of faith[i], which bring power beyond that which is human.

Preview: 1.  Transfer from Catechumen to Faithful is a great dignity; calling us to the fellowship of His Son; becoming partaker of God’s title, Faithful.  2.  It is required that each be found faithful; yet, God sees the sincerity of faith, He tries the reins and hearts, knowing men’s thoughts; the faithful attain great wealth, by trampling on it; the rich are poor of soul; but, the faithful are rich in poverty, content with only food and clothing.  3.  All great things are accomplished by faith, even by “aliens from the Church”.  “By faith the laws of marriage yoke” strangers together.  “By faith” the farmer anticipates a harvest.  “By faith” the sailor exchanges the certainty of land for a plank.  “By faith” men’s affairs are held together.  Outsiders, without the Scripture, hold their doctrines by faith.  4.  The lesson[ii] invites to “true faith”: for without faith it is impossible to please Him.[iii]  When will a man serve God, not believing that He gives rewards?  What woman choses virginity, or man sobriety, not believing that there is an unfading crown of chastity?  “Faith is an eye that enlightens every conscience, and imparts understanding.”  “Faith stops the mouths of lions”; it is our only shield against the devil, our buckler against the foe; faith enables us “to quench all the fiery darts”; faith “cools the mind and quenches the dart”.  5.  Faith is too much to consider in a day; take Abraham only, justified both by his works and faith; yet, not called God’s friend, until he believed; even though all his works were performed in faith; thus he fathered a child from his dead body, when his wife had no hope of bearing children; then he offered up his only son, believing that God is able to raise him from the dead; but, God gave him a lamb instead of his child; God gave him circumcision as a seal of faith; promising that he would be the father of many nations.  6.  “Abraham is the father of many nations”: the Jews of the flesh; but, all of us by faith: for faith in Christ crucified , died, and risen makes us Abraham’s children by adoption; “circumcised [in the heart] by the Holy Spirit through baptism”; “in the circumcision of Christ, … buried with Him in baptism….”  7.  “This faith, if kept … from condemnation … will be adorned with virtues.”  Faith enables walking on water; but, doubts, lead to sinking; yet, Jesus raises up our weak faith; so Peter returns to the ship.  8.  “Faith has so much power” that, as with the Capernaum paralytic, it saves others.  9.  Lazarus was raised by the faith of his sisters; Lord, I believe, help my unbelief; increase our faith.  10.  The dogmatic kind of faith gives assent: for if you believe that Jesus is Lord, Whom God raised, you shall be saved, as was the robber who believed at Golgotha.  11.  The [Spirit’s] gift of faith through grace, “is not merely doctrinal”; it works above man’s power, moves mountains; this faith is small as mustard grain, but fiery in operation, providing branches for birds: for the faith enlightened “soul has visions of God”, travels the universe, beholds the judgment.  12.  In learning and professing faith, keep only that delivered by the Church from Scripture; this engrave on the heart: for the articles were collected from Scripture.  13.  Guard them with reverence; keep this faith committed to you without spot.

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[i] Among other Spiritual gifts; yet: St. Cyril maintains that all of us should seek this gift faith and growth in it.

[ii] Hebrews 11:1-2

[iii] Hebrews 11:6

May 26, 2014 Monday Message

... in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.  Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Amen.  Glory to You, our God, Glory to You.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, You are everywhere and fill all things, Treasury of blessings, and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times).

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it is now, was in the beginning, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

May 26, 2014 Monday Message

The Lord’s Prayer is often taught as an assembly of six petitions.  Nothing could be farther from the truth: for as soon as the prayer is finished, Jesus immediately emphasizes its single focal point in Matthew 6:14-15.

“For if you have forgiven men their trespasses, then Your heavenly Father will forgive you.  Yet if you have not forgiven [men their trespasses], neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Two things are immediately obvious.

We cannot possibly be members of God’s Kingdom of forgiveness if we are an unforgiving people.  There is no place in heaven for the person who refuses to forgive.  Stubborn refusal to forgive is a sure proof that real saving faith is absent from the cold inky blackness of such a dead heart.

We cannot possibly be members of God’s Kingdom of forgiveness if we cling to our sin, stubbornly refuse to admit that it is wrong, refuse to make confession, refuse to seek absolution, refuse to make amends, and refuse to find reconciliation.  This is just as evil as failing to forgive.  Deliberate persistence in sin is another sure proof that real saving faith is absent from the cold inky blackness of such a dead heart.

However, the doors of God’s kingdom are open wide to the sinner who stumbles and falls thousands of times every day; who, is spite of his or her many failures, still looks to God in faith, hope, and love, with real regret and remorse for all of these sins; and yet makes an honest and sincere effort to wage war against them by pursuing the life that is changed by grace.  Such a person lives with a broken and contrite heart, and the forgiveness of other sinners becomes easier every day.

For all of these reasons we cry out repeatedly, Lord have mercy (twelve times).

The reason for the twelve fold repetition is equally obvious.  When we realize our true estate we cannot cease crying out for God’s rich mercy, both for ourselves, for others, even our enemies and our friends, for those who hate us and those who hate us, as well as for the whole world, for all of the seven billion and more souls that inhabit this earth.  We merely stop at twelve in public services so that we can move on with the rest of the service.

Forgiveness and its attendant mercy are not options.  Neither are they pieces of a random collection.  Forgiveness and its attendant mercy are the main focal point.  Amen.