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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom412be formed in us again: for hear Paul saying, “My little children of whom I travail in birth again,until Christ be formed in you.” ( Gal. iv. 19 .) Only let us lay hold on repentance.For behold the love of God to man! We ought on every ground to have been punished at thefirst; in that having received the natural law, and enjoyed innumerable blessings, we have notacknowledged our Master, and have lived an unclean life. Yet He not only has not punished us,but has even made us partakers of countless blessings, just as if we had accomplished great things.Again we fell away, and not even so does He punish us, but has given medicine of repentance,which is sufficient to put away and blot out all our sins; only if we knew the nature of the medicine,and how we ought to apply it.What then is the medicine of Repentance and how is it made up? First, of the condemnation ofour own sins; 2885 “For” (it is said) “mine iniquity have I not hid” ( Ps. xxxii. 5 ); and again, “Iwill confess against myself my lawlessness unto the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of myheart.” And “Declare thou at the first thy sins, that thou mayest be justified.” ( Isa. xliii. 26 .) And,“The righteous man is an accuser of himself at the first speaking.” ( Prov. xviii. 17 .)Secondly, of great humbleness of mind: For it is like a golden chain; if one have hold of thebeginning, all will follow. Because if thou confess thy sin as one ought to confess, the soul ishumbled. For conscience turning it on itself 2886 causeth it to be subdued.Other things too must be added to humbleness of mind if it be such as the blessed David knew,when he said, “A broken and a contrite heart God will not despise.” ( Ps. li. 17 .) For that whichis broken does not rise up, does not strike, but is ready to be ill-treated and itself riseth not up. Suchis contrition of heart: though it be insulted, though it be evil entreated, it is quiet, and is not eagerfor vengeance.And after humbleness of mind, there is need of intense prayers, of many tears, tears by day,and tears by night: for, he says, “every night, will I wash my bed, I will water my couch with mytears. I am weary with my groaning.” ( Ps. vi. 6 .) And again, “For I have eaten ashes as it werebread, and mingled my drink with weeping.” ( Ps. cii. 9 .)And after prayer thus intense, there is need of much almsgiving: for this it is which especiallygives strength to the medicine of repentance. And as there is a medicine among the physicians’helps which receives many herbs, but one is the essential, so also in case of repentance this is theessential herb, yea, it may be everything. For hear what the Divine Scripture says, “Give alms, andall things shall be clean.” ( Luke xi. 41 .) And again, “By alms-giving and acts of faithfulness 2887sins are purged away.” ( Prov. xvi. 6 .) And, “Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms will doaway with great sins.” ( Ecclus. iii. 30 .)Next not being angry with any one, not bearing malice; the forgiving all their trespasses. For,it is said, “Man retaineth wrath against man, and yet seeketh healing from the Lord.” ( Ecclus.xxviii. 3 .) “Forgive that ye may be forgiven.” ( Mark xi. 25 .)2885The common texts add καὶ ἀπὸ ἐξαγορεύσεως , “ and [of] from confession. ”2886συστρέφον2887καὶ πίστεσιν . [These same two words, ἐ λεημοσύναι καί πίστεις , “ almsgiving and acts of faithfulness, ” are used bythe Septuagint to translate “ mercy and truth ” in Prov. iii. 3 also, as if πίστεις were the distinct acts of faithfulness which goto make up truth , comp. true of heart throughout the Psalms.]594