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As They Followed They Were Afraid

Keraza Magazine issue 15-16 April 11, 2014

"Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid" (Mark 10:32). Thus did St. Mark skillfully alone describe the condition of the disciples as they were walking after Jesus on His way to the Passion and death, feeling both perplexity and fear. Actually, these are typical emotions of a person facing pain, and death-ultimate pain.

The enigma of pain preoccupied many since the inception of humanity; people found it difficult to believe that God, who is all loving and merciful, would create pain. This very enigma perplexed Job, who suffered much pain, both physically and emotionally. Not finding meaning for his pain, he added pain to pain.

God did not create pain; it is a tragic result of sin and the Fall: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children...In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life...In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread" (Genesis 3:16-19). When Adam and Eve tasted the pleasure of desire they ultimately reaped pain. From here, pain and pleasure became two inseparable poles; a stable law was established that pain follows after pleasure, rather, the very source for pleasure became the source for pain. For example, food, which is a source of pleasure, could also be a source of pain and illness. Likewise, touch receptors could send messages of pleasure or pain to the brain. Perhaps this law is what caused the experienced fathers, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to call the passions and desires "Pains." He further inspired them to reach the state of "dispassion" (the state of freedom from pleasure and pain) as the goal of all struggle and asceticism, considering this state alone as the condition for unity with God.

The only person not subject to this law is the Lord Jesus Christ. Being alone without sin, He never submitted to pleasure, and subsequently was never subject to pain as a necessary consequence of pleasure. However, He of His own free will accepted to bear the winepress of pain and be called "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3), described by Isaiah: "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4), and rightfully saying in the Psalm: "Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it" (Psalm 69:4), that is, He submitted to pain without having submitted to pleasure. And since that hour, pain became no longer a source of fear and perplexity, no longer without meaning, rather, pain became glory to all who suffer for righteousness sake, and not for sin: "We see Jesus...for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9).

Perhaps this is the reason why the priest chants at the conclusion of each Paschal Hour, giving the blessing to the congregation: "May Jesus Christ our true God, who accepted pain willfully, and was crucified on the cross for us, bless us with every spiritual blessing." Amen, may He bless us with every spiritual blessing, He who willfully accepted pain without pleasure.

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States