Vigils Reading – 8th Sunday Ordinary time

THE DISCIPLE IS NOT

ABOVE HIS TEACHER

From a commentary by St Cyril of Alexandria

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The disciples were to be the spiritual guides and teachers of the whole

world. It had therefore to be clearly seen by all that they held fast to the true

faith. It was essential for them to be familiar with the gospel way of life, skilled

in every good work, and to give teaching that was precise, salutary, and

scrupulously faithful to the truth they themselves had long pondered,

enlightened by the divine radiance. Otherwise they would be blind leaders of the

blind. Those imprisoned in the darkness of ignorance can never lead others in

the same sorry state to knowledge of the truth. Should they try, both would fall

headlong into the ditch of the passions.

To destroy the ostentatious passion of boastfulness and stop people from

trying to win greater honor than their teachers, Christ declared: The disciple is

not above his teacher. Even if some should advance so far as to equal their

teachers in holiness, they ought to remain within the limits set by them, and

follow their example. Paul also taught this when he said: Be imitators of me, as

I am of Christ. So, then, if the Master does not judge, why are you judging? He

came not to judge the world, but to take pity on it.

What he is saying, then, is this: “If I do not pass judgment, neither must

you, my disciple. You may be even more guilty of the faults of which you accuse

another. Will you not be ashamed when you come to realize this?” The Lord uses

another illustration for the same teaching when he says: Why do you look for

the speck in your brother’s eye?

With compelling arguments he persuades us that we should not want to

judge others, but should rather examine our own hearts, and strive to expel the

passions seated in them, asking this grace from God. He it is who heals the

contrite of heart and frees us from our spiritual disorders. If your own sins are

greater and worse than other people’s, why do you censure them, and neglect

what concerns yourself?

This precept, then, is essential for all who wish to live a holy life, and

particularly for those who have undertaken the instruction of others. If they are

virtuous and self-restrained, giving an example of the gospel way of life by their

own actions, they will rebuke those who do not choose to live as they do in a

friendly way, so as not to break their own habit of gentleness.