Our Venerable Father Theodore of Syceum (613)
Acts 8:26-39; John 6:40-44
Read John 6:40-44
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
The Lord today speaks about a mystery of salvation. How is it that some come to Christ and some do not? First, we must acknowledge that there is no way to the Father except through Christ: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). We take Jesus at his word, so this means that there is no way to have a genuine encounter with the true God except through Jesus Christ. We also hear from the Lord today, that “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” We are not forced by the Father, but attracted by love and delight. St. Augustine says, “There is a certain craving of the heart to which that bread of heaven is sweet… a person is drawn to Christ when he delights in the truth, when he delights in blessedness, delights in righteousness, delights in everlasting life…” (NPNF 1 7:169-70). St. Augustine is saying that a person who treasures the things that God loves is predisposing his heart to the Lord and therefore becomes ready to encounter the Son. Those who seek after and take delight in the truth, blessedness, righteousness and everlasting life will be rewarded with the pearl of great price, that which is sweeter than honey, the love of Christ.