New Warrior Ministries!: Blessed are the meek, a homily on St. Matthew by St. John Chrysostom

Homily XV

Mat. V. 1, 2

   5. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." [600] Tell

   me, what kind of earth? Some [601] say a figurative earth, but it is

   not this, for nowhere in Scripture do we find any mention of an earth

   that is merely figurative. [602] But what can the saying mean? He holds

   out a sensible prize; even as Paul also does, in that when he had said,

   "Honor your father and your mother," [603] he added, "For so shall you

   live long upon the earth." And He Himself unto the thief again, "Today

   shall you be with me in Paradise." [604]

   Thus He does not incite us by means of the future blessings only, but

   of the present also, for the sake of the grosser sort of His hearers,

   and such as before the future seek those others.

   Thus, for example, further on also He said, "Agree with your

   adversary." [605] Then He appoints the reward of such self-command, and

   said, "Unless at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and

   the judge to the officer." [606] See you whereby He alarmed us? By

   the things of sense, by what happens before our eyes. And again,

   "Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the

   council." [607]

   And Paul too sets forth sensible rewards at great length, and uses

   things present in his exhortations; as when he is discoursing about

   virginity. For having said nothing about the heavens there, for the

   time he urges it by things present, saying, "Because of the present

   distress," and, "But I spare you," and, "I would have you without

   carefulness." [608]

   Thus accordingly Christ also with the things spiritual has mingled the

   sensible. For whereas the meek man is thought to lose all his own, He

   promises the contrary, saying, "No, but this is he who possesses his

   goods in safety, namely, he who is not rash, nor boastful: while that

   sort of man shall often lose his patrimony, and his very life."

   And besides, since in the Old Testament the prophet used to say

   continually, "The meek shall inherit the earth;" [609] He thus weaves

   into His discourse the words to which they were accustomed, so as not

   everywhere to speak a strange language.

   And this He said, not as limiting the rewards to things present, but

   as joining with these the other sort of gifts also. For neither in

   speaking of any spiritual thing does He exclude such as are in the

   present life; nor again in promising such as are in our life, does He

   limit his promise to that kind. For He said, "Seek you the kingdom of

   God, and all these things shall be added unto you." [610] And again:

   "Whosoever has left houses or brethren, shall receive an hundred fold

   in this world, and in the future shall inherit everlasting life." [611]

May you be greatly blessed,

+William

Monk Michael

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