Monday, November 10, 2014

Homily X. St. John Chrysostom

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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