Saints and Days: John of Damascus

December 4th is the day that the Church remembers St. John of Damscus, Confessor and Hymnwriter.

Image Today: John of Damascus at Anno Domini, Jesus Through the Centuries

Reading: John 14:18-23

Biography from lcms.org:
John (ca. 675–749) is known as the great compiler and summarizer of the orthodox faith and the last great Greek theologian. Born in Damascus, John gave up an influential position in the Islamic court to devote himself to the Christian faith. Around 716 he entered a monastery outside of Jerusalem and was ordained a priest. When the Byzantine emperor Leo the Isaurian in 726 issued a decree forbidding images (icons), John forcefully resisted. In his Apostolic Discourses he argued for the legitimacy of the veneration of images, which earned him the condemnation of the Iconoclast Council in 754. John also wrote defenses of the orthodox faith against contemporary heresies. In addition, he was a gifted hymnwriter (“Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain”) and contributed to the liturgy of the Byzantine churches. His greatest work was the Fount of Wisdom which was a massive compendium of truth from previous Christian theologians, covering practically every conceivable doctrinal topic. John’s summary of the orthodox faith left a lasting stamp on both the Eastern and Western churches.

Words:
When is the last time you saw your parents or that special loved one? For some of us that was just a few weeks ago at Thanksgiving. For others, it’s just around the corner at Christmas. Others yet are separated by the gulf of physical death and are waiting for a reunification in heaven on the last day. Whenever the last time was or who the person was, you know that feeling of being separated that is so important you and to your experience of Life given by God.
Most of us bridge the gap of seperation with images. On my desk I have a picture of Liz, who is very important to me - and very far away from me. Who do you have on your desk or on your wall? Whose picture do have you saved on your hard-drive? Whose picture do you find yourself looking at all of the time?
John of Damascus found himself in an interesting argument argument about the nature of pictures and their function in worshipping God. He maintained that icons, pictures depicting Biblical or theological themes, were to be used in worship to better explain Christianity to people who were not necessarily literate. This way, even if the people could not read their own Bibles (which almost noone owned, because of the price of a copy) they could begin to memorize and meditate on the Scriptures through pictures of Jesus, the Apostles, and the great heroes of the Church.
John’s opponents, the iconoclasts, held that such images were graven images that would be used for idolatry. Even today, this war rages on. The Islamic faith, which John had converted from to become a Syrian Christian monk, still holds that any image depicting holy things is to be condemned. Certain other Christian faiths say the same thing.
The question of idolatry is a huge one. God is very clear. You shall have no other gods before me. But having a picture of Jesus, or a Biblical scene is a very different story. Does it help you to pray if you’re looking at what Jesus’ face might have looked like in an artists depiction? Will it help you to remember to treat people as Christ would have you treat them if you have an image of Elizabeth of Hungary in your kitchen?
Jesus knew that we would pine after Him. He told us that He would not leave us as orphans, and He hasn’t. He has sent His Holy Spirit to us. That Holy Spirit has informed us of His Holy Love that we are reminded of when we see a picture of Him. That Holy Spirit has moved us forward to look at the lives of the heroes of the Church and try to mimic them as best as we can. Jesus wants to remind us of Him in every way possible. He wants to remind us that we are loved, forgiven, and will spend eternity with Him in heaven whenever we hear His word, look at a picture, sing a song, drive along the road, or read a devotion. He wants to remind you that it won’t be long before you don’t need that picture. He wants to remind you that soon you will be with Him and all of your pictures can be put away, because He will be right there.

Prayer:
Lord God, you are the Father of all things given to your poor children. You have given us so many gifts that we can hardly begin to list them all. We thank you this day for the gifts of artistry that remind us of your creative power brought to the point of your masterpiece, the powerful image and drama of your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. In that act you created our souls anew with the power of your Spirit and the forgiveness of the Son. Grant us this day the assurance and memory of our salvation. In that Name that alone grants salvation, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Further Links:
John of Damascus at James Keifer’s Christian Biographies

In Defense of Icons (John of Damascus’ Work) at Fordham University

Iconoclasm at Wikipedia (What John was fighting against)