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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom454Consider how the poor man Peter chastised the rich Ananias. Was not the one rich and the otherpoor? But behold the one speaking with authority and saying, “Tell me whether ye sold the landfor so much” ( Acts v. 8 ), and the other saying with submission, “Yea, for so much.” And who(you say) will grant to me to be as Peter? It is open to thee to be as Peter if thou wilt; cast awaywhat thou hast. “Disperse, give to the poor” ( Ps. cxii. 9 ), follow Christ, and thou shalt be suchas he. How? he (you say) wrought miracles. Is it this then, tell me, which made Peter an object ofadmiration, or the boldness which arose from his manner of life? Dost thou not hear Christ saying,“Rejoice not because the devils are subject unto you; If thou wilt be perfect [&c].” ( Luke x. 20.) Hear what Peter says: “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give thee.” ( Acts iii. 6 .)If any man have silver and gold, he hath not those other gifts.Why is it then, you say, that many have neither the one nor the other? Because they are notvoluntarily poor: since they who are voluntarily poor have all good things. For although they donot raise up the dead nor the lame, yet, what is greater than all; they have confidence towards God.They will hear in that day that blessed voice, “Come, ye blessed of My Father,” (what can be betterthan this?) “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was anhungered and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger and ye tookMe in: I was naked and ye clothed Me: I was sick and in prison and ye visited Me. Inherit thekingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” ( Matt. xxv. 34–36 .) Let us thenflee from covetousness, that we may attain to the kingdom [of Heaven]. Let us feed the poor, thatwe may feed Christ: that we may become fellow-heirs with Him in Christ Jesus our Lord, withwhom to the Father together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor, now and for ever andworld without end. Amen.Homily XIX.Hebrews x. 19–23“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus , by a new andliving way which He hath consecrated 3149 for us, through the Veil, that is to say, His flesh, andhaving an High Priest 3150 over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in fullassurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washedwith pure water. Let us hold fast the profession 3151 of our hope without wavering.”[1.] “ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by anew and living way which He hath consecrated for us.” Having shown the difference of the HighPriest, and of the sacrifices, and of the tabernacle, and of the Covenant, and of the promise, and3149“ new made ” or “ inaugurated. ”3150“ a great Priest. ”3151“ confession. ”657