HOMILY 6 #

On Friday of Cheesefare Week: A Teaching of Saint John Chrysostom on Spiritual Purity

Let us learn, brethren, what it is that defiles a man, so that, having examined the evils, we may flee from them.

For we see that many in the church hold to this custom: that they should come to church only in clean garments, with washed hands and mouths purified with water. But they take no care whatsoever to present their souls pure before God, free from all malice.

I do not say this to forbid the washing of hands and mouths, for this is fitting. But one should not cleanse only with water but also with good deeds. For impurity of the hands is not merely external filth but something far worse: robbery, violence, wickedness, theft, murder, and bloodshed.

And defilement of the mouth is not merely uncleanness upon the teeth or gums, nor the bitterness of spittle or foul saliva. It is something much worse: falsehood, slander, blasphemy, insult, obscene speech, profanity, idle laughter, mocking uproar, foolish jesting, strife, offense, idle talk, judgment of others, demonic songs, and pagan fables.

If, therefore, when examining yourself, you find that you have committed none of these evils, nor spoken them, nor been defiled by them, then go to church and approach the Most Pure Mysteries with confidence.

But if you continually dwell in such impurity, why do you labor in vain? You wash your hands and tongue with water, yet carry within yourself a destructive and ruinous impurity.

Tell me, if you were holding dung or filth in your hands, would you dare to pray? Such external impurity is a great disgrace. But spiritual impurity is death and destruction to those who remain in it.

How is it that you hesitate at bodily uncleanness, but you do not blush before God while constantly defiling yourself with spiritual impurity?

And how do you dare to pray falsely?

One must not have any spiritual filth. If you fall into sin, quickly cleanse yourself. And how, and in what manner? I shall tell you.

Weep and groan with true repentance, confess sincerely from all your heart, give alms according to your ability, make peace with all, do not judge, hold no anger against anyone, do no evil to your neighbor, do not envy, do not steal, do not oppress anyone.

Above all, have sincere love for all.

Thus, you will cleanse your tongue, your lips, and your hands.

Do not anger God even more by praying while harboring malice.

Tell me: if someone with filthy hands were to take hold of your foot while praying, would you not only refuse to listen to them but also push them away?

How then do you now dare to approach God in such a state, without purifying yourself?

For the Lord Himself says that if you do not cleanse your soul’s conscience and your body, even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen to you.

For it is not bodily impurity but spiritual defilement that brings death and destruction.

And again, the Lord says: “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

Have you heard the Apostle Paul say:

“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:8).

Likewise, women should not adorn themselves with extravagant clothing, nor with elaborate face-painting, but rather serve with humility and repentance, praying to God.

Let them do all these good works without wrath or evil thoughts, in a well-ordered manner, with reverence and chastity, adorning themselves with good deeds—not with gold, nor silver, nor costly garments, nor pearls, but as befits women who profess godliness, learning in silence with all submission.

To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.