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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom188we shall not be able to assist others. Let there be nothing foolish or silly among us; such are worldlymatters, such are the cares of this life. Wherefore the virgins were called foolish, because they werebusy about foolish, worldly matters, gathering things together here, but laying not up treasure wherethey ought. Fear there is lest this be our case, fear lest we too depart clothed with filthy garments,to that place where all have them bright and shining. For nothing is more filthy, nothing moreimpure, than sin. Wherefore the Prophet declaring its nature cried out, “My wounds stink, and arecorrupt.” ( Ps. xxxviii. 5 .) And if thou wilt fully learn how ill-savored sin is, consider it after ithath been done; when thou art delivered from the desire, when the fire no longer troubleth thee,then shalt thou see what sin is. Consider anger, when thou art calm; consider avarice, when thoudost not feel it. There is nothing more shameful, nothing more accursed, than rapine and avarice.This we continually say, desiring not to vex you, but to gain some great and wonderful advantage.For he who hath not acted rightly after hearing once, may perhaps do so after hearing a secondtime; and he who hath passed by the second time, may do right after the third. God grant that we,being delivered from all evil things, may have the sweet savor of Christ; for to Him, with the Fatherand the Holy Ghost is glory, now and ever and world without end. Amen.Homily LIII.John viii. 20“These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the Temple; and no man laid hands onHim, for His hour was not yet come.”[1.] Oh the folly of the Jews! seeking Him as they did before the Passover, and then havingfound Him in the midst of them, and having often attempted to take Him by their own or by others’hands without being able; they were not even so awed by His power, but set themselves to theirwickedness, and desisted not. For it saith, that they continually made the attempt; “These wordsspake He in the treasury, teaching in the Temple; and no man laid hands on Him.” He spake in theTemple, and in the character of teacher, which was more adapted to rouse them, and He spake thosethings because of which they were stung, and charged Him with making Himself equal to the Father.For “the witness of two men is true,” proveth this. Yet still “He spake these words,” It saith, “inthe Temple,” in the character of teacher, “and no man laid hands on Him, for His hour was not yetcome”; that is, it was not yet the fitting time at which He would be crucified. So that even then 1462the deed done was not of their power, but of His dispensation, for they had long desired, but hadnot been able, nor would they even then have been able, except He had consented.Ver. 21 . “Then said Jesus unto them, I go My way, and ye shall seek Me.”Why saith He this continually? To shame and terrify their souls; for observe what fear thissaying caused in them. Although they desired to kill Him that they might be rid of Him, they yet1462i.e. at the Crucifixion.287