Беседа 66

“And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And so, two blind men who were sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, began to shout: “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” (Matthew 20:29–30) Persistent prayer bows to God. – Christ’s mercy extended only to the worthy. – What does the event of unquestioning giving of the donkey teach? – The life of Christ should be an example for us. – The educational significance of Christ’s entry onto the donkey. - An exhortation to almsgiving. – The insufficiency of the alms given compared to the wealth of the city (Antioch). - Inexcusability of excuses for refusing alms. - Alms are the best acquisition. 1. Look where the Savior comes from to Jerusalem, and where he was before: this, in my opinion, is worth special attention. In fact, why didn’t He first go straight from there to Galilee, but through Samaria? But let's leave it to the curious; whoever wants to carefully test will see that the Evangelist John makes a sufficient hint of this and gives a reason. As for us, we will say what is necessary and listen to the aforementioned blind men, who were better than many who saw. They, having no guide and unable to see the Lord approaching, nevertheless had a strong desire to reach Him, and began to shout; and while strangers forbade them to do this, they intensified their cry even more. This is what a strong soul means! The very obstacles bring her to her goal. And Christ did not forbid stopping their mouths, so that through this their zeal would be even more revealed, and so that you would know that they were worthy to receive healing. That is why He did not ask them: “Do you believe”? - as he usually did with others. The very cry and zealous desire to approach Him already very clearly showed everyone their faith. Learn from this, beloved, that no matter how insignificant and rejected we are, but by coming to God with true zeal, we ourselves can ask Him for everything we need. Look how these blind men, not even having one of the apostles on their side, and even hearing prohibitions from many, overcame all obstacles and came to Jesus himself; and although the Evangelist does not testify that their lives in any way vouch for their boldness, instead of everything, zeal alone was enough for them. We too will be jealous of these blind men. Even if God is slow to send down His gifts to us, even if many turn us away from the path of prayer, let us continue our prayer: in this way we will especially appease God. Look here too, how neither poverty, nor blindness, nor the thought of the blind that they would not be heard, nor the prohibition of the people - nothing stopped them. Such is a fiery and patient soul! What about Christ? “He called them and said: what do you want from Me? They say to Him: Lord! so that our eyes may be opened” (Matthew 20:32,33)! Why did He ask such a question to the blind? So that no one thinks that He is not giving what they want. Everywhere in advance, he usually revealed to everyone the good disposition of those asking for healing, and then he gave healings - on the one hand, in order to arouse similar jealousy in others, on the other, in order to show the dignity of those receiving the gift: so he did with the Canaanite wife, so he did with the centurion, so he did with the bleeding woman; It would be more accurate, however, to say that this wonderful wife even warned the Lord’s question, and yet He did not leave her unattended, but, having healed her, opened her heart to others. Thus, He tried everywhere first to discover the perfections of those who came to Him, and to present them as much greater than they actually were. He did the same here with the blind. Then, when they expressed their desire, He, having mercy on them, touched them. This mercy was the only reason for all healing; It is for this reason that He came into the world. However, although Christ was mercy and grace incarnate, He sought those worthy. And that the blind were worthy is evident both from their intensified cry and from the fact that, having received healing, they did not lag behind Christ, as many did not appreciate His benefits. No, these blind men are not like that: they were constant before the gift, and after they were grateful, they followed Him. “And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came 22 to Bethphage to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village that is right in front of you; and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie, bring to Me; and if anyone says anything to you, answer that the Lord needs them; and he will send them forthwith. Nevertheless, this happened, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through the prophet, who says: Say to the daughter of Zion: Behold, your King comes to you meek, sitting on a donkey and the colt of a donkey, the son of a yoke" (Matthew 21:1-5). Often before Christ went to Jerusalem; but never walked with such glory. Why is this so? Because then it was still the beginning of His construction and He himself was not so well known; Moreover, the time of suffering was not yet near. Therefore, he lived, no different from others, and for the most part hid Himself; otherwise His appearance would not have been so surprising, but would have only aroused greater anger in the Jews. When He had already shown many experiments of His power, and the cross was already at the door, then He glorifies Himself more decisively and with greater solemnity does everything that could ignite them. Of course, this could have been done from the very beginning, but it would have been unnecessary and useless. And you think with me, how many miracles are there, and how many prophecies have been fulfilled? Christ said: “you will find a donkey”; and immediately predicted that no one would interfere, but if they heard it, they would shut up. This served as a considerable accusation against the Jews: if Christ forces strangers to Him and those who have not seen Him to give up their property without any contradiction, and, moreover, (not even personally, but) through the disciples, then how guilty are the Jews who, having witnessed so many miracles performed by Him, did not believe Him. 2. And do not consider this event unimportant. In fact, what made these poor people, perhaps farmers, give up their property without any contradiction? And what am I saying - without contradiction? Without even asking, or having asked, shut up and give in? If they did not say anything when they were taking away their cattle, or, if they did say something, but hearing that the Lord demanded him, they yielded without any contradiction, then both are equally surprising, especially since they did not see Him himself, but only his disciples. Through this the Lord makes it clear that He could in every possible way prevent the stiff-necked Jews when they came to seize Him and make them voiceless; but I just didn’t want it. On the other hand, He teaches the disciples to sacrifice whatever He requires; if He commanded that the very soul be given, and they must sacrifice it without any contradiction. Indeed, if strangers to Him obeyed His demand, then how much more should they sacrifice everything to Him. Further: Christ fulfilled here another twofold prophecy - the prophecy of deeds, and the prophecy of words: the prophecy of deeds, when he sat on a donkey; prophecy of words - Zechariah the prophet, who said that the King would sit on a donkey. Mounting on a donkey, He fulfilled this last prophecy and, at the same time, prefiguring the future by His actions, gave another prophecy. How? He foretold the calling of the unclean pagans - that He would rest in them, that they would come to Him and follow Him. Thus, prophecy followed prophecy. However, Christ, in my opinion, did not deign to sit on a donkey not only for this reason, but also in order to give us the rule of life. He not only fulfilled prophecies and instilled the teaching of truth, but through this he also corrected our lives, everywhere making it a rule for us to satisfy only extreme needs. He had this kind of correction of our lives in mind everywhere; So, when he deigned to be born on earth, he did not look for a richly decorated house, nor for a rich and famous mother, but chose a poor woman who was betrothed to a woodmaker; born in a den and placed in a manger; also choosing disciples, he chose not orators and wise men, not rich and famous, but also among the poor the poorest, and not at all famous; in the same way, when he offered a meal, he sometimes offered barley bread, sometimes just before the meal he commanded the disciples to buy it at the market; instead of a bed he used grass; He wore poor attire, no different even from the attire of the simplest people; and didn’t even have a home; if He needed to move from one place to another, he walked on foot, and in such a way that sometimes he even got tired; when he sat down, he did not look for a chair or a soft head, but sat on the bare ground, sometimes on a mountain, sometimes by a spring, and even alone; I also spoke with the Samaritan woman; He also set a limit for sadness itself: when it was necessary to cry, he cried quietly, everywhere, as I said, setting rules and boundaries to which it was permissible to reach, but beyond which one should not go. So now, if it happened that someone, due to weakness, had a need for an animal, then Christ made a restriction in this case too, showing that one should not race on horses or mules, but should be content with a donkey, and never extend beyond what is necessary. But let's see how the prophecies come true - both in words and in deeds. What kind of prophecy is this? “Behold, your king comes to you meek, sitting on a donkey and a colt.” He does not ride on a chariot, as other kings usually do, does not demand tribute, does not instill fear with himself, does not have spearmen, but even here he shows the greatest meekness. Ask a Jew: was there any king who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey? He cannot point you to anyone except Christ alone. But He, as I said above, did this as a sign of the future. Here, through the colt, the Church and the new people are signified, which was once unclean, but after Jesus sat on it, it became clean. Notice how precise the whole foreshadowing is. The disciples untie the yoke: both the Jews and we are called into the new grace-filled Church through the apostles, and are also brought into it through the apostles. Our blessed and glorious fate aroused jealousy among the Jews: the donkey walks behind the colt. And indeed, after Christ sits on the Gentiles, then the Jews, out of a sense of competition, will come to Him, which Paul clearly shows when he says, “that the hardening took place in Israel in part, [until the time] until the full [number] of the Gentiles came in; and thus all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:25–26). So, from what has been said, it is clear that this was a prophecy. Otherwise there would have been no need to tell the prophet in such detail about the age of the donkey. And not only is this clear from what has been said, but also that the apostles will bring them without difficulty. And indeed, just as here no one hindered the apostles when they led the animals, so no one could hinder them in calling the pagans when they caught them. Further: Christ does not sit on a naked colt, but on the one covered with the apostles’ clothes: this is because the apostles, having taken the colt, give up everything they have, just as Paul says: “I will willingly spend [my own] and exhaust myself for your souls” (2 Cor. 12:15). But pay attention also to the obedience of the donkey, to how he, not at all trained and not yet knowing the reins, did not rush quickly, but walked quietly and calmly. And this served as an omen of the future, expressing the submission of the pagans and their speedy change to a comfortable life. All this was accomplished with the word: “having loosed it, bring it to Me”; and the disorderly came into order, and the unclean became clean. 3. But look at the baseness of the Jews! Before, when Christ did so many miracles, they were never so surprised at Him; Now, seeing the people flocking, they are surprised. “And when He entered Jerusalem,” it is said, “the whole city began to stir and said: Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10–11). And here, when apparently they were saying something lofty, their thought was earthly, the most base, reptile. However, Christ did this not out of vanity, but in order, as I said, to fulfill the prophecy and impart edifying instruction, and at the same time to comfort the disciples who were lamenting about His death, letting them know that He endures all this voluntarily. Marvel at the accuracy with which everything was predicted by the prophets: some by David, and others by Zechariah. Let us do the same, let us sing His praises and give clothing to those who wear Him. Otherwise, what will we deserve? If then, at Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, some covered the donkey on which He was sitting with their clothes, and others spread clothes under her feet, then are we, who are commanded not only to take off our clothes, but also to exhaust everything for the sake of others, not to show any generosity when we see Him naked? There the people in front and behind accompanied Him: why do we send Him away, even drive Him away with insult, when He Himself comes to us? How worthy of punishment this is, what vengeance! A needy Master comes to you, but you don’t even want to listen to His requests, but you still condemn and revile Him, hearing such words from Him! But if you are so thrifty, unyielding and stingy for one piece of bread and a few money, then what would happen to you if they demanded everything from you? Don't you see how vain people in the theater treat dissolute women? And you don’t give even half of this, and often even a tenth. When the devil commands you to give to anyone, and meanwhile prepares Gehenna for this, you give; and when Christ commands to give to the poor, promising the kingdom for this, you not only do not give, but also offend. Would you really agree to listen to the devil in order to be tortured, rather than obey Christ in order to receive salvation? What could be worse than such madness? One is preparing Gehenna, the other is preparing the kingdom: and you, leaving this one, run to that one. When Christ comes to you, you send Him away, and you yourself invite the devil from afar. It is as if the king, by offering purple and a diadem, did not win us over to his side; and the robber, shaking his sword and threatening death, would have managed to do this. So, considering this, beloved, let us open our eyes now and begin to stay awake. I confess that I am already ashamed to talk about alms, repeating it so often and not seeing the fruits of the sermon. True, I see more fruits than before, but not as much as I would like. I see that you are sowing, but not with a generous hand; Therefore, I am afraid that you will reap meagerly. And what we sow sparingly, for this purpose we examine, if you like, who is more in the city: poor or rich, and how many are there who are neither poor nor rich, but occupy the middle between them? I believe that a tenth of the rich and a tenth of the poor have nothing at all; and the rest are in mediocre condition. So, let's divide the number of all residents of the city by the number of poor people, and you will see what a shame it will be. There are few very rich people, but many who are sufficient; there are much fewer poor people in comparison with them. Meanwhile, with such a number of rich people who could feed the hungry, many fall asleep hungry - not because wealthy people cannot easily satisfy their needs, but because they are cruel and inhumane. In fact, if the rich and those following them divided among themselves those in need of bread and clothing, then hardly one poor person would get one out of fifty or one hundred people. And yet, the poor, despite such a large number of people who are able to help them, cry every day. To see the inhumanity of the rich, you only have to pay attention to how many widows and virgins are provided with the necessary maintenance by the Church, which receives an income no more than what one richest and one not so rich receives. In fact, the number of those supported by the Church extends to three thousand. In addition, it contains prisoners in the dungeon, those in the inn, both sick and healthy, strangers, cripples sitting at the church for food and clothing, and others who simply come every day, and yet it does not become scarce. So, if only ten people wanted to spend the same amount on them, then not a single one would be poor. 4. You will say: what will be left as an inheritance for our children? The main capital will remain, and income will increase, because treasure will be laid up for them in heaven. But if you do not want to use your property for the poor in this way, then at least give them half of it, or a third, or a fourth, or a fifth, or even a tenth. With the help of God's grace, even in this case, our city would be able to feed the poor of ten cities. And I could prove this if you wished; however, there is no need to prove it, because it is obvious how easy it is to do. Look how much one house often spends on city taxes, and yet does not even notice the damage. If each of the rich wished to perform such service towards the poor, he would soon delight heaven. So, what kind of forgiveness can we have, what pretext for an apology, when we do not distribute what we must leave behind when moving from here to the needy and with such generosity as others lavish on actors, while we could reap great fruits from this? Even if we stayed here forever, then even then we should not regret this wonderful waste; but if after a while we have to move from here and, moreover, without anything - naked, then what excuse can we have for not giving our income to the hungry and oppressed? I will not force you to reduce your estate, not because I do not want this, but because I see little disposition in you for this. So, this is not what I’m telling you anymore; but give at least from your profits and do not hide anything from them. It is enough for you that you have, as it were, a source from which monetary income flows; make the poor partakers in them, and be a good steward of what God has given you. You will say: I pay taxes. So, do you neglect the poor because no one urgently demands this from you? Why don’t you dare refuse to someone who demands tribute from you and, perhaps, forcefully forces you, whether the land will bring you fruit or not, but you don’t answer a beggar who asks you with meekness, and then only during the time of fertility, with a word? Who will once save you from unbearable torment? Nobody. If you are only concerned about paying the tax because those who do not pay it are severely punished here, then know that even more severe punishments are being prepared there: not bonds, not prison, but eternal fire. So, first of all, let's pay these taxes. This is very easy to do, and the reward for it is greater, and the benefits are greater; and if we remain insensitive to this, then an incomparably more painful punishment awaits us, an eternal punishment. If you say that you need to give to the maintenance of the soldiers who fight for you against the enemies, then here too there is an army - beggars, and here is the battle that they are fighting for you. Having accepted alms, they propitiate God with their prayers, and by propitiating God, they destroy the slander not of barbarians, but of demons - and do not allow the evil spirit to strengthen and make constant attacks on you, but weaken its power. 5. So, seeing these warriors fighting the devil every day with petitions and prayers for you, demand this wonderful tribute from yourself - their food. The King of Heaven, in His meekness, did not assign torturers to you, but wants you to voluntarily serve. If you give a little, He will accept; If, due to poverty, you put it off for a while, He does not force the poor. However, let us not despise His long-suffering; Let us treasure for ourselves not anger, but salvation, not death, but life, not punishment and torment, but honor and crowns. Here there is no need to pay for the transfer of what we bring in; no need to change money. Your job is to give: the Lord himself will transfer it to heaven; He himself will make the most profitable turn for you. Here you don’t need to look for a person who would transport the money you contribute: just give, and immediately your alms go not to support other soldiers, but to save and increase them for your benefit. Here on earth, if you give something, you can’t take it back; there, on the contrary, you will receive yours with great honor and acquire greater and more spiritual benefits. Here what is given is something demanded, there it is profit, loan and debt. God Himself gave you a receipt, saying: “He who does good to the poor lends to the Lord” (Prov. 19:17). He also gave you a pledge and a guarantee, despite the fact that He is God. What kind of collateral? All the blessings of this life, both sensory and spiritual, are like the beginnings of future blessings. So, why are you indecisive and procrastinating, when you have already received so much and are still expecting so much? The benefits you received are the following: He formed your body, He put a soul in you, honored you alone on earth with your mind, gave you the right to possess everything visible, imparted to you the knowledge of Himself, gave up your Son for you, gave you baptism, in which so many benefits flow alone, offered you a sacred meal, promised you the kingdom and unspeakable blessings. So, having received and still expecting so many benefits, (I will say the same thing again), why do you value so much a fragile property? And what excuse will you have? Do you really hope to apologize because you have children? But you teach them how to acquire such benefits. If your money, loaned to someone, brought profit, and the debtor were an honest person, then without a doubt you would do a hundred times better if instead of gold you give your son a receipt, because in this way the money will grow and he will not be forced to look again for people who could borrow it from him. So now give this receipt to the children and leave them in debt to God. You yourself do not sell the villages, but leave them to the children, and you do this with the intention that the income will be preserved, and through this the property for them will increase: why are you afraid to leave them such a manuscript, which is more profitable than any villages and any income, and which brings so much benefit? What stupidity and what unreason! Moreover, when you absolutely know that although you are leaving this receipt for the children, you yourself, in turn, will receive it. These are spiritual blessings - they are very abundant. Let us not be so wretched, so ruthless and cruel to ourselves, but let us engage in this wonderful purchase in order to receive it ourselves after our departure, and leave it to our children, and be worthy of future blessings, by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory, power, honor, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. In Chrysostom both verbs are in the form of unities. numbers: and when he approached... and came... You might be interested in: