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

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom518Son is evident: since otherwise, how is the honor equal? “That all men” (He says) “should honorthe Son even as they honor the Father.” ( John v. 23 .) Wherein is the honor equal? “The fruit ofour lips giving thanks to His Name.” 3486[8.] Let us bear all things thankfully, be it poverty, be it disease, be it anything else whatever:for He alone knows the things expedient for us. “For we know not what we should pray for as weought.” ( Rom. viii. 26 .) We then who do not know even how to ask for what is fitting, unlesswe have received of 3487 the Spirit, let us take care to offer up thanksgiving for all things, and let usbear all things nobly. Are we in poverty? Let us give thanks. Are we in sickness? Let us give thanks.Are we falsely accused? Let us give thanks: when we suffer affliction, let us give thanks.This brings us near to God: then we even have God for our debtor. But when we are in prosperity,it is we who are debtors and liable to be called to account. For when we are in prosperity, we aredebtors to God: and oftentimes these things bring a judgment upon us, while those are for a paymentof sins. 3488 Those [afflictions] draw down mercy, they draw down kindness: while these on theother hand lift up even to an insane pride, and lead also to slothfulness, and dispose a man to fancygreat things concerning himself; they puff up. Therefore the prophet also said, “It is good for me,Lord, that Thou hast afflicted 3489 me; that I may learn Thy statutes.” ( Ps. cxix. 71 .) When Hezekiahhad received blessings and been freed from calamities, his heart was lifted up on high; when hefell sick, then was he humbled, then he became near to God. “When He slew them,” it says, “thenthey sought Him diligently, and turned, and were early in coming to 3490 God.” ( Ps. lxxviii. 34 .)And again, “When the beloved waxed gross and fat, then he kicked.” ( Deut. xxxii. 15 .) For “theLord is known when He executeth judgments.” ( Ps. ix. 16 .)[9.] Affliction is a great good. “Narrow is the way” ( Matt. vii. 14 ), so that affliction 3491 thrustsus into the narrow [way]. He who is not pressed by affliction cannot enter. For he who afflictshimself in the narrow [way], is he who also enjoys ease; but he that spreads himself out, 3492 doesnot enter in, and suffers from being so to say wedged in. 3493 See how Paul enters into this narrowway. He “keeps under” his “body” ( 1 Cor. ix. 27 ), so as to be able to enter. Therefore, in all hisafflictions, he continued giving thanks unto God. Hast thou lost thy property? This hath lightenedthee of the most of thy wideness. Hast thou fallen from glory? This is another sort of wideness.Hast thou been falsely accused? Have the things said against thee, of which thou art nowise consciousto thyself been believed? “Rejoice and leap for joy.” For “blessed are ye” (He says) “when menreproach you, and say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingglad, for great is your reward in Heaven.” ( Matt. v. 11, 12 .)Why dost thou marvel, if thou art grieved, and wish to be set free from temptations? Paul wishedto be set free, and oftentimes entreated God, and did not obtain. For the “thrice for this I besoughtthe Lord,” is oftentimes; “and He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is3486That is, “ to the Name of the Son. ”3487ἐ πιλαβώμεθα , “ taken hold of. ”3488ἔ κτισις , see above, Hom. v. [6.] p. 391.3489or “ humbled. ”3490ὤ ρθριζον πρὸς3491θλῖψις , literally “ pressing ” : probably St. Chrys. had in mind a word of the text which he does not cite, τεθλιμμένηἡ ὁδός3492ἐ μπλατύνων ἑαυτόν3493θλίβεται σφὴνούμενος750