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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostomto entreat and to supplicate for the transgressions thou hast wretchedly committed, and dost thoudo this with laughter? How then wilt thou be able to propitiate Him?[9.] But (one says) what harm is there in laughter? There is no harm in laughter; the harm iswhen it is beyond measure, and out of season. Laughter has been implanted in us, that when wesee our friends after a long time, we may laugh; that when we see any persons downcast and fearful,we may relieve them by our smile; not that we should burst out violently 3072 and be always laughing.Laughter has been implanted in our soul, that the soul may sometimes be refreshed, not that it maybe quite relaxed. For carnal desire also is implanted in us, and yet it is not by any means necessarythat because it is implanted in us, therefore we should use it, or use it immoderately: but we shouldhold it in subjection, and not say, Because it is implanted in us, let us use it.Serve God with tears, that thou mayest be able to wash away your sins. I know that many mockus, 3073 saying, “Tears directly.” Therefore it is a time for tears. I know also that they are disgusted,who say, “Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.” ( 1 Cor. xv. 32 .) “Vanity of vanities, allis vanity.” ( Eccles. i. 2 .) It is not I that say it, but he who had had the experience of all thingssaith thus: “I builded for me houses, I planted vineyards, I made me pools of water, [I had] menservants and women servants.” ( Eccles. ii. 4, 6, 7 .) And what then after all these things? “Vanityof vanities, all is vanity.” ( Eccles. xii. 8 .)Let us mourn therefore, beloved, let us mourn in order that we may laugh indeed, that we mayrejoice indeed in the time of unmixed joy. For with this joy [here] grief is altogether mingled: andnever is it possible to find it pure. But that is simple and undeceiving joy: it has nothing treacherous,nor any admixture. In that joy let us delight ourselves; that let us pursue after. And it is not possibleto obtain this in any other way, than by choosing here not what is pleasant, but what is profitable,and being willing to be afflicted a little, and bearing all things with thanksgiving. For thus we shallbe able to attain even to the Kingdom of Heaven, of which may we all be counted worthy, in ChristJesus our Lord, with whom to the Father be glory, together with the Holy Ghost, now and for everand world without end. Amen.443Homily XVI.Hebrews ix. 15–18“And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death for theredemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament, they which are calledmight receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must alsoof necessity be the death of the testator. 3074 For a testament is of force after men are dead, 30753072ἀ νακαγχάζωμεν3073διαμωκῶνται3074“ of him that made it. ”3075“ in the case of the dead. ”640