Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostoma child or the sickness of a wife they enjoy any comfort, yet they ought even if they obtain it not,to persist just the same in giving thanks, in glorifying God. Because it is the part of right-mindedservants, and of those who feel such affection 946 and love as they ought for their Master, not onlywhen pardoned, but also when scourged, to run to Him. For these also are effects of the tender careof God; “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth,” it says, “every son whom Hereceiveth.” ( Heb. xii. 6 .) When therefore a man serves Him only in the season of ease, he givesproofs of no great love, and loves not Christ purely. And why speak I of health, or abundant riches,or poverty, or disease? Shouldest thou hear of the fiery pit or of any other dreadful thing, not evenso must thou cease from speaking good of thy Master, but suffer and do all things because of thylove for Him. For this is the part of right-minded servants and of an unswerving soul; and he whois disposed after this sort will easily endure the present, and obtain good 947 things to come, andenjoy much confidence in the presence of 948 God; which may it be that we all obtain through thegrace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghostbe glory, now and ever, and world without end. Amen.Homily XXXVI.John iv. 54; v. 1“This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judæa into Galilee.After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”[1.] As in gold mines one skillful in what relates to them would not endure to overlook eventhe smallest vein as producing much wealth, so in the holy Scriptures it is impossible without lossto pass by one jot or one tittle, we must search into all. For they all are uttered by the Holy Spirit,and nothing useless 949 is written in them.Consider, for instance, what the Evangelist in this place saith, “This is again the second miraclethat Jesus did, when He was come out of Judæa into Galilee.” Even the word “second” he has addednot without cause, but to exalt yet more the praise 950 of the Samaritans, by showing that even whena second miracle had been wrought, they who beheld it had not yet reached as high as those whohad not seen one.“After this there was a feast of the Jews.” What “feast”? Methinks that of Pentecost. “And Jesuswent up to Jerusalem.” Continually at the feasts He frequenteth the City, partly that He might appear946al. “ are stanch. ”947al. “ all. ”948al. “ from. ”949lit. “ distracting. ”950lit. “ wonder. ”191