Homily 39 #

On the Same Day [Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent], A Teaching of Saint John Chrysostom

When you see someone living in wicked wealth—that is, in unrighteousness—and yet seeming to suffer no evil here on earth, do not call such a man blessed, but weep for him, for he shall receive all the torments of punishment there. But if you see someone living in virtue and yet surrounded by many tribulations, bless him and seek to imitate him, for here he is loosed from all his sins, and there he shall enter into great joy.

For this reason, the Apostle Paul said: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Whether from men, or from demons, or from evil rulers, they suffer exile, imprisonment, many wounds, sorrows, chains, and darkness, and all kinds of afflictions. For the Lord said: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And again: though you have sorrow now, He will bring you joy in the end.

If someone desires to be crowned with incorruptible glory, let him live here with hardship and suffering, and there he shall find glory, and honor, and eternal rest.

This is how the prophets of God lived. David said: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow.” Likewise, Jeremiah wept, and Job cursed the day of his birth. Moses said: “Slay me, O Lord.” Elijah fasted forty days and, weeping, cried: “Take away my life, O Lord.” Daniel tasted no bread for three weeks.

Of them, the Apostle Paul also said: “They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy).” For, he said, “No man is crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

But if someone strives through fasting and repentance, through prayer and almsgiving, by loosing every bond of injustice—abstaining from cursing, envy, theft, bribery, unlawful gain, and drinking—and ceasing from unjust profit and buying up liquor for resale, then he shall inherit the Kingdom of God. For of those who persist in such things, the Apostle Paul says: “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The Lord receives neither fasting nor prayer from a soul defiled by drunkenness. If you come to church stinking of wine and rotting with the fumes of drink, where shall I place you—among the drunkards, or among those who fast? Clearly, “drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Hannah fasted and prayed to the Lord, saying: “Look upon Thine handmaid, O Lord, and give me the fruit of the womb.” And it was granted to her, according to her prayer and petition. Likewise, Samson fasted and defeated a thousand foreigners in a single day. He tore up gates of stone as if they were reeds, and even lions could not endure the strength of his hand. But when he gave himself over to drunkenness, then he was taken by his enemies, his eyes were put out, and he became a mockery to children.

So let us, brethren, flee from such a sickness, lest we become a laughingstock to the demons and a mockery to senseless children, and a source of weeping to the faithful and the wise. But let us, with a pure heart and a sober mind, trample down the devil and all his snares, through Christ Jesus our Lord—to whom be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.