On Jesus Ascending to Jerusalem
An excerpt from the work of St. John Chrysostom

He did not got up at once to Jerusalem from Galilee, but after He had performed certain miracles, and had rebuked the Pharisees, and spoken with His Disciples of the need for renunciation.  For, He says:  If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor; and of virginity: He that can take, let him take it; and of humility: Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdon of heaven; and of reward in this life: And everyone that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, of father, or mother, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold; and of reward in the future life: And shall possess eternal life.  

Then at length He approaches the city, and since He is about to go up there, He speaks again of His passion.  For since it was very likely, seeing they wished these things would not happen, that they would put them from their memory, He frequently recalls them to their mind; strengthening their spirit, and softenining their grief, by frequent references to what is to happen.