st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul

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SERMONS. 119
sustenance without labour, revelling in plenty with
out rain (Gen. ii., 5), needing for a livelihood neither
the sweat of his brow, nor labour with the hoe, nor
any toil but with trees ever
; blossoming to give him
delight, he could pass from flower to flower, from
fruit to fruit, rinding what he needed ever waiting
upon his desires, and only at a loss on which object
first to lay his hands, through the loveliness of all he
saw." But, though the thought of such happiness
forfeited makes him sad, yet the Christian associations
of the day rekindle joy and gladness in his heart.
For look round on the habitable world, how many
villages, how many cities, how many regions, how
many nations, how many islands, rivers, shores, races,
tribes, and languages there are ;
and yet all these are
to-day keeping fast on account of the Cross ;
in its
power crucifying their affections ;
and with many,
even the end of night brings not an end to their
painful
abstinence. And now we are all assembled
together to hear about the Cross, and throng the
church, sweating and struggling as we crowd upon
one another. 1 Those of us who are honoured with
a front seat, when in the presence of earthly judges,
are here glad to stand in presence of Jesus. For he
stood for our sakes, to stem the torrent of wicked
ness" (c. ii.)
The scene before Pilate s
judgmentseat
is then recounted, and its incidents dwelt upon.
On the dream of Pilate s wife he comments thus :
second Joseph sees the truth through dreams,
and bears witness against the clamour of the Jews.
1
This little touch seems characteristic of St. Chrysostom.