Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, Homily on St. Matthew by St. John Chrysostom

Homily XV

Mat. V. 1, 2

   6. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness."

   [612]

   What sort of righteousness? He means either the whole of virtue, or

   that particular virtue which is opposed to covetousness. [613] For

   since He is about to give commandment concerning mercy, to show how we

   must show mercy, as, for instance, not of rapine or covetousness, He

   blesses them that lay hold of righteousness.

   And see with what exceeding force He puts it. For He said not, "Blessed

   are they which keep fast by righteousness," but, "Blessed are they

   which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:" that not merely

   anyhow, but with all desire we may pursue it. For since this is the

   most peculiar property of covetousness, and we are not so enamored of

   meat and drink, as of gaining, and compassing ourselves with more and

   more, He bade us to transfer this desire to a new object, freedom from

   covetousness.

   Then He appoints the prize, again from things sensible; saying, "for

   they shall be filled." Thus, because it is thought that the rich are

   commonly made such by covetousness, "No," said He, "it is just

   contrary: for it is righteousness that does this. Wherefore, so long

   as you do righteously, fear not poverty, nor tremble at hunger. For

   the extortioners, they are the very persons who lose all, even as he

   certainly who is in love with righteousness, possesses himself the

   goods of all men in safety."

   But if they who covet not other men's goods enjoy so great abundance,

   [614] much more they who give up their own.

 May you be greatly blessed,

 +William

 Monk Michael

Web Page;

http://www.monkmichael.com

Live Radio call in show;

Coffee with Monk Michael

For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet