From Glory to Truth: What Kind of Temple Am I?
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen. May the blessing of the Father who calls us, and His Only Begotten Son who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.
“From Glory to Truth: What Kind of Temple Am I?”
My beloved,
During the Holy Week, we hear many readings. But I want to change your understanding today: the Church is not simply giving us readings… the Church is taking us on a journey.
A journey that began yesterday—with palms, with joy, with crowds shouting, “Hosanna!”
But today… everything changes.
The same Christ who entered Jerusalem as a King now begins to reveal that His Kingdom is not what people expected.
Part One: Understanding the Church’s Plan
This morning, one of the children asked me, “Why is the Church different this week? Why are we sitting, why is there no liturgy, no vestments?”
That simple question opened my eyes. I felt it was a message from God—to help us understand what the Church is doing.
The Church does not give us random readings.
Every hour… every prophecy… every psalm… every Gospel… is one continuous message.
Even what we prayed last night—Monday Eve—is a continuation of Palm Sunday, and today continues that same journey.
The Church is telling us:
“Do not stop at the palms… walk with Christ to the Cross.”
Part Two: Monday Eve – From Glory to the Cross
Let us walk together through what we heard.
First Hour of Monday Eve
“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (John 12:23, NKJV)
My beloved, this is shocking.
Because Christ calls the Cross… glory.
The world says glory is success and comfort. But Christ says glory is sacrifice and self-giving.
“The passion of Christ is the true manifestation of His glory, for by it He gave life to the world.”
— St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John
You cannot truly see Christ unless you see Him on the Cross.
Third Hour of Monday Eve
“But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20, NKJV)
Even as He approaches suffering, Christ cares for His disciples. He prepares them.
Because trials are coming.
God prepares us before He allows suffering. And He is with us in suffering—just as He was with the three young men in the furnace of fire (Daniel 3).
Sixth Hour of Monday Eve
“The Son of Man will be delivered… and they will kill Him.” (Mark 10:33–34, NKJV)
Christ is not surprised. He offers Himself willingly.
The Cross was always there for the salvation of mankind. What great love is this.
“He did not wait to be seized, but willingly gave Himself, showing that His death was not of necessity but of love.”
— St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew 65
Ninth Hour of Monday Eve
“Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mark 8:33, NKJV)
Saint Peter loved Christ—but rejected suffering.
This is us.
We want Christ… but without the Cross. Without the commandments. Without repentance.
Eleventh Hour of Monday Eve
“If you have faith as a mustard seed…” (Matthew 17:20, NKJV)
What is coming requires faith.
Are we ready to accept a crucified God?
As we say to the thief on the Cross:
“You did not see Christ glorified on Mount Tabor… but you saw Him crucified, and you believed.”
The Message of Monday Eve
Christ is moving from glory to sacrifice—and He is inviting us to follow Him not only this week, but all our lives.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NKJV)
Part Three: Monday Day – The King Reveals Truth
Now Christ acts.
First Hour of Monday Day – The Fig Tree
“He found nothing on it but leaves… and said, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again.’” (Matthew 21:19, NKJV)
This is not about a tree.
This is about me. This is about you.
We may have leaves—appearance—but no fruit.
“The fig tree with leaves and no fruit signifies those who have the appearance of godliness but lack its power.”
— St. Augustine, Sermon 44
Ask yourself:
- Do I look spiritual but remain empty inside?
- Do I serve but not repent?
- Do I speak about God but not live with Him?
Third Hour of Monday Day – Cleansing the Temple
“My house shall be called a house of prayer.” (Matthew 21:13, NKJV)
You are the temple.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, NKJV)
“Christ cleanses the temple to show that the heart dedicated to God must be free from every defilement.”
— St. Cyril of Alexandria
How do we cleanse the temple?
- Through repentance
- Through confession
- Through prayer
- Through cutting off sin
Sixth Hour – Zeal for God’s House
“Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” (John 2:17, NKJV)
Christ teaches us reverence.
We honor His house—not only the church building, but our own hearts.
Ninth Hour – Authority Questioned
“By what authority are You doing these things?” (Matthew 21:23, NKJV)
The real question is: does Christ have authority in my life?
Eleventh Hour – Rejection
“They took up stones to throw at Him.” (John 8:59, NKJV)
The same crowd that said “Hosanna” now rejects Him.
The Deep Spiritual Truth
Monday of Pascha is the day of spiritual honesty.
No more pretending. No more leaves.
A Desert Fathers Story
A brother asked Abba Agathon, “I fast, I pray, I serve—what is missing?”
He said, “Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.”
Because in silence, we meet our true self.
The Heart of the Message
Christ is not looking at how much you do.
He is looking for fruit:
- Love
- Repentance
- Purity
- Humility
A Final Image
Christ came to the fig tree hungry.
Christ comes to you… hungry.
Hungry for your heart.
Practical Takeaways
- Ask daily: Am I a tree with fruit or just leaves?
- Pray: “Lord, cleanse my temple.”
- Accept the Cross—this is where Christ is.
Final Words
The Church did not arrange these readings to inform you… but to transform you.
Do not just attend Pascha.
Walk it. Live it. Be changed by it.
May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds, that our homes may stand on the Rock, our hands serve in the harvest, and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.