Commentary on John

Cosmas of Maiuma

The hateful Iscariot, heedless, By intent, of the law of friendship, Readied for betrayal the feet Which Christ had washed. And though he ate Your bread, the divine Body, He raised his heel against you, O Christ, And knew not how to cry out: "Praise the Lord, O his works, and exalt him unto all ages." The man without conscience received The Body which redeems from sin And the divine blood poured out For the sake of the world; But he was not ashamed to drink What he sold for a price; He took no offense at his wickedness, And knew not how to cry out: "Praise the Lord, O his works, and exalt him unto all ages."

The Father begot me, creative Wisdom, before the ages; He established me as the beginning of his ways For the works now mystically accomplished For though I am the uncreated Word by nature, I make my own the voice Of the nature I have now assumed. As I am a man In reality, not a mirage, So divinized is the nature which, By the manner of the exchange, Is united to me. Wherefore know that I am one Christ Who saves that of which and in which I am.

See also

• More works by Cosmas of Maiuma

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