St. John Chrysostom in his homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew speaking on John the Baptist's preaching in the Wilderness.
Homily X
6. This man then let us also emulate, and forsaking luxury and
drunkenness let us go over unto the life of restraint. For this surely
is the time of confession both for the uninitiated and for the
baptized; for the one, that upon their repentance they may partake of
the sacred mysteries; for the others, that having washed away their
stain after baptism, they may approach the table with a clean
conscience. Let us then forsake this soft and effeminate way of living.
For it is not, it is not possible at once both to do repentance [445] and
to live in luxury. And this let John teach you by his raiment, by his
food, by his abode. What then? do you require us, you may say, to
practise such self-restraint as this? I do not require it, but I advise
and recommend it. But if this be not possible to you, let us at least,
though in cities, show forth repentance, for the judgment is surely at
our doors. But even if it were further off, we ought not even so to be
emboldened, for the term of each man's life is the end of the world
virtually to him that is summoned. But that it is even at the doors,
hear Paul saying, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand;" [446]
and again, "He that came will come, and will not tarry." [447]
For the signs too are now complete, which announce that day. For "this
Gospel of the Kingdoms," said He, "shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." [448]
Attend with care to what is said. He said not, "when it has been
believed by all men," but "when it has been preached to [449] all."
For this cause he also said, "for a witness to the nations," to show,
that He does not wait for all men to believe, and then for Him to come.
Since the phrase, "for a witness," has this meaning, "for accusation,"
"for reproof," "for condemnation of them that have not believed."
But we, while hearing these things and seeing them, slumber, and see
dreams, sunk in a lethargy, as in some very deepest night. [450] For
the things present are nothing better than dreams, whether they be
prosperous, or whether they be painful. Wherefore I entreat you now at
length to be awakened, and to look another way, unto the Sun of
Righteousness. For no man while sleeping can see the sun, nor delight
his eyes with the beauty of its beams; but whatever he may see, he
beholds all as in a dream. For this cause we need much repentance, and
many tears; both as being in a state of insensibility while we err, and
because our sins are great, and beyond excuse. And that I lie not, the
more part of them that hear me are witnesses. Nevertheless, although
they be beyond excuse, let us repent, and we shall receive crowns.
7. But by repentance I mean, not only to forsake our former evil deeds,
but also to show forth good deeds greater than those. For, "bring
forth," said he, "fruits meet for repentance." [451] But how shall we
bring them forth? If we do the opposite things: as for instance, have
you seized by violence the goods of others? hereforth give away even
your own. Have you been guilty of fornication for a long time?
abstain even from your wife for certain appointed days; exercise
continence. Have you insulted and stricken such as were passing by?
Hereforth bless them that insult you, and do good to them that smite
you. For it suffices not for our health to have plucked out the dart
only, but we must also apply remedies to the wound. Have you lived in
self-indulgence, and been drunken in time past? Fast, and take care to
drink water, in order to destroy the mischief that has so grown up
within you. Have you beheld with unchaste eyes beauty that belonged
to another? Hereforth do not so much as look upon a woman at all, that
you may stand in more safety. For it is said, "Depart from evil,
and do good;" [452] and again, "Make your tongue to cease from evil, and
your lips that they speak no guile." [453] "But tell me the good too."
"Seek peace, and pursue it:" I mean not peace with man only, but also
peace with God. And he has well said, "pursue" her: for she is driven
away, and cast out; she has left the earth, and is gone to sojourn in
Heaven. Yet shall we be able to bring her back again, if we will put
away pride and boasting, and whatsoever things stand in her way, and
will follow this temperate and frugal life. [454] For nothing is more
grievous than wrath and fierce anger. This renders men both puffed up
and servile, by the former making them ridiculous, by the other
hateful; and bringing in opposite vices, pride and flattery, at the
same time. But if we will cut off the greediness of this passion, we
shall be both lowly with exactness, and exalted with safety. For in our
bodies too all distempers arise from excess; and when the elements
thereof leave their proper limits, and go on beyond moderation, then
all these countless diseases are generated, and grievous kinds of
death. Somewhat of the same kind one may see take place with respect to
the soul likewise.
8. Let us therefore cut away excess, and drinking the salutary medicine
of moderation, let us abide in our proper temperament, and give careful
heed to our prayers. Though we receive not, let us persevere that we
may receive; and if we do receive, then because we have received. For
it is not at all His wish to defer giving, but by such delay He is
contriving for us to persevere. With this intent He does also lengthen
out [455] what is good for us better than we do, and loves us more
ardently than those who gave us birth. And let both these
considerations be a charm for us to chant to ourselves in every terror
that occurs, that so we may quell our despondency, and in all things
glorify Him, who on our behalf does and orders all, even God.
For so we shall both easily repulse all hostile devices, and attain
unto the incorruptible crowns: by the grace and love towards man of our
Lord Jesus Christ, with whom be unto the Father glory, might, and
honor, together with the Holy Spirit, now, and always, even for ever and
ever. Amen.
May you be greatly Blessed!
+William
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