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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom[10.] Let us “be merciful,” not simply so, but “as our heavenly Father is.” ( Luke vi. 36 .) Hefeeds even adulterers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and what shall I say? Those having every kindof wickedness. For in so large a world there must needs be many such. But nevertheless He feedsall; He clothes all. No one ever perished of hunger, unless one did so of his own choice. So let usbe merciful. If one be in want and in necessity, help him.But now we are come to such a degree of unreasonableness, as to act thus not only in regard tothe poor who walk up and down the alleys, but even in the case of men that live in [religious]solitude. 2922 Such an one is an impostor, you say. Did I not say this at first, that if we give to allindiscriminately, we shall always be compassionate; but if we begin to make over-curious enquiries,we shall never be compassionate? What dost thou mean? Is a man an impostor in order to get aloaf? If indeed he asks for talents of gold and silver, or costly clothes, or slaves, or anything elseof this sort, one might with good reason call him a swindler. But if he ask none of these things, butonly food and shelter, things which are suited to a philosophic life, 2923 tell me, is this the part of aswindler? Cease we from this unseasonable fondness for meddling, which is Satanic, which isdestructive.For indeed, if a man say that he is on the list of the Clergy, or calls himself a priest, then busythyself [to enquire], make much ado: since in that case the communicating 2924 without enquiry isnot without danger. For the danger is about matters of importance, for thou dost not give butreceivest. But if he want food, make no enquiry.Enquire, if thou wilt, how Abraham showed hospitality towards all who came to him. If he hadbeen over-curious about those who fled to him for refuge, he would not have “entertained angels.”( c. xiii. 2 .) For perhaps not thinking them to be angels, he would have thrust them too away withthe rest. But since he used to receive all, he received even angels.What? Is it from the life of those that receive [thy bounty] that God grants thee thy reward?Nay [it is] from thine own purpose, from thy abundant liberality; from thy loving-kindness; fromthy goodness. Let this be [found], and thou shalt attain all good things, which may we all attain,through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father and togetherwith the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever and world without end. Amen.423Homily XII.Hebrews vii. 1–3“For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the most High God, who met Abraham returningfrom the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him: to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part ofall; first being by interpretation King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which2922μοναζόντων ἀνδρῶν2923ἃ φιλοσοφίας ἐστὶ , i.e. of the ascetics or solitary life.2924κοινωνία609