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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostommourn for this cause continually, that we may obtain the joy which is there, through the grace andlovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.230Homily LXIII.John xi. 30, 31“Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him. TheJews then which were with her,” and what follows. 1723[1.] A great good is philosophy; the philosophy, I mean, which is with us. For what the heathenhave is words and fables only; nor have these fables anything truly wise 1724 in them; since everythingamong those men is done for the sake of reputation. A great good then is true wisdom, and evenhere 1725 returns to us a recompense. For he that despises wealth, from this at once reaps advantage,1726being delivered from cares which are superfluous and unprofitable; 1727 and he that tramplesupon glory from this at once receives his reward, being the slave of none, but free with the realfreedom; and he that desires heavenly things hence receives his recompense, regarding presentthings as nothing, and being easily superior to every grief. Behold, for example, how this womanby practicing true wisdom even here received her reward. For when all were sitting by her as shemourned and lamented, she did not wait that the Master should come to her, nor did she maintainwhat might have seemed her due, nor was she restrained by her sorrow, (for, in addition to the otherwretchedness, mourning women have this malady, that they wish to be made much of on accountof their case,) but she was not at all so affected; as soon as she heard, she quickly came to Him. 1728“Jesus was not yet come into the town.” 1729 He proceeded somewhat slowly, that He might notseem to fling Himself upon the miracle, but rather to be 1730 entreated by them. At least, it is eitherwith an intention of implying this that the Evangelist has said the, “riseth up quickly,” or else heshoweth that she ran so as to anticipate Christ’s arrival. She came not alone, but drawing after herthe Jews that were in the house. Very wisely did her sister call 1731 her secretly, so as not to disturbthose who had come together, and not mention the cause either; for assuredly many would have1723ver. 31 . “ The Jews then which were with her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily and went out, followedher, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. ”1724al. “ any real wisdom. ”1725ἐ ντεῦθεν1726al. “ good. ”1727al. “ senseless. ”1728al. “ but rising straightway went to meet Him. ”1729al. “ the place. ”1730al. “ being. ”1731al. “ speak to. ”348