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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom332entrusted to him; all which things are signs of his love for Him, and of his knowing all thingsexactly. And if he has said that so many miracles had taken place, marvel thou not, but, consideringthe ineffable power of the Doer, receive with faith what is spoken. For it was as easy for Him todo whatever He would, as it is for us to speak, or rather much easier; for it sufficed that He shouldwill only, and all followed.[3.] Let us then give exact heed to the words, and let us not cease to unfold and search themthrough, for it is from continual application that we get some advantage. So shall we be able tocleanse our life, so to cut up the thorns; for such a thing is sin and worldly care, fruitless and painful.And as the thorn whatever way it is held pricks the holder, so the things of this life, on whateverside they be laid hold of, give pain to him who hugs and cherishes them. Not such are spiritualthings; they resemble a pearl, whichever way thou turn it, it delights the eyes. As thus. A man hathdone a deed of mercy; he not only is fed with hopes of the future, but also is cheered by the goodthings here, being everywhere full of confidence, and doing all with much boldness. He hath gotthe better of an evil desire; even before obtaining the Kingdom, he hath already received the fruithere, being praised and approved, 2636 before all others, 2637 by his own conscience. And every goodwork is of this nature; just as conscience also punishes wicked deeds here, even before the pit. Forif, after sinning, thou considerest the future, thou becomest afraid and tremblest, though no manpunish thee; if the present, thou hast many enemies, and livest in suspicion, and canst not hencefortheven look in the face those who have wronged thee, or rather, those who have not wronged thee.2638For we do not in the case of those evil deeds reap so much pleasure, as we do despondency,when conscience cries out against us, men, without, condemn us, God is angered, the pit travailingto receive us, our thoughts not at rest. A heavy, a heavy and a burdensome thing is sin, harder tobear than any lead. He at least who hath any sense of it will not be able to look up ever so little,though he be very dull. Thus, for instance, Ahab, though very impious, when he felt this, walkedbending downwards, crushed and afflicted. On this account he clothed himself in sackcloth, andshed fountains of tears. ( 1 Kings xxi. 27 .) If we do this, and grieve as he did, we shall put offour faults as did Zacchæus, and we too shall obtain some pardon. ( Luke xix. 9 .) For as in thecase of tumors, 2639 and fistulous ulcers, 2640 if one stay not first the discharge which runs over andinflames the wound, how many soever remedies he applies, while the source of the evil is notstopped, he doth all in vain; so too if we stay not our hand from covetousness, and check not thatevil afflux of wealth, although we give alms, we do all to no purpose. For that which was healedby it, 2641 covetousness coming after is wont to overwhelm 2642 and spoil, and to make harder to healthan before. Let us then cease from rapine, and so do alms. But if we betake ourselves to precipices,how shall we be able to recover ourselves? 2643 for if one party (that is, alms-doing) were to pull ata falling man from above, while another was forcibly dragging him from below, the only result ofsuch a struggle would be, that the man would be torn asunder. That we may not suffer this, nor,2636lit. “ admired. ”2637or, “ all other things. ”2638i.e. in wronging thee, have not wronged thee, because thou deservest punishment.2639al. “ diseases. ”2640συρίγγων2641i.e. by the alms.2642al. “ undo. ”2643lit. “ recover breath. ”499