Беседа 73

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses and hypocritically pray for a long time: for this you will receive all the more condemnation.” (Matthew 23:14) He who covers up evil deeds with the guise of piety deserves severe punishment. – The Pharisees were the destroyers of those who wanted salvation. - The purpose of the veterinary economy. instructions for external cleansing. – Virtues that purify the soul: truth, philanthropy, truth. – Against those who do not care about spiritual purity. – Against those looking out for beautiful women in the church. – Comparison of the morals of the apostolic times with those of today. – Against women’s clothing, marriage for money, corrupting sayings. 1. With these words, the Savior begins to denounce the scribes and Pharisees for the fact that they were satiated and, what is even worse, filled their bellies not from the property of the rich, but from the acquisitions of widows, and thus further increased their poverty instead of alleviating it. They not only ate, but devoured. And this mischief was also covered up with the basest slyness: “hypocritically pray for a long time.” Anyone who does evil deserves punishment; whoever, having assumed the image of piety, uses it to cover up his evil deeds is subject to much more severe punishment. Why did the Savior not defrock the scribes and Pharisees at all? Because the time has not come yet. That is why He left them for a time. And by rebuking them, He protects the people from deception, so that, looking at the high rank of the scribes, they would not be carried away to imitate them. Since He previously said: “Keep everything that they tell you to observe,” now, so that the foolish, based on these words, do not think that everything is allowed to them, He shows in what ways the scribes pervert the law. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you close the Kingdom of Heaven to men, for you yourselves do not enter, and you do not allow those who want to enter” (Matthew 23:13). If the one who brings no benefit is guilty, then how can one expect forgiveness who causes harm to others and blocks their entry? What does the word mean: “those who want to enter” 23? It means capable. When it was necessary to prescribe something to others, then the scribes laid burdens that were unbearable; and when they themselves had to fulfill something prescribed by law, then they acted completely differently: not only did they not do anything themselves, but, what is much more harmful, they also corrupted others. These are people who should be called a pestilence, people who intend the destruction of others by their deeds, completely opposite to the true teachers. If the teacher’s job is to save someone who is perishing, then to destroy someone who wants to be saved is the job of a destroyer. Then comes another denunciation: “Go around sea and land, so that you can convert at least one; and when this happens, you make him a son of hell, twice as bad as you" (Matt. 23:15), - that is: although it costs you extremely great labor and effort to convert someone, even after all this you do not know how to save him. We try most of all to preserve what we have acquired with great difficulty; and that doesn’t make you any more caring. Here Christ makes two accusations against the scribes and Pharisees: firstly, that they cannot do anything to save many, and that it costs them great effort to attract at least one person to themselves; secondly, that they are completely careless about preserving what they have acquired; and not only are they negligent, but they also become his traitors when, with their vicious lives, they corrupt him and make him even worse. Indeed, when a student sees vicious teachers, he becomes worse than them, because he does not stop at the degree of corruption of his teacher. When the teacher is good-natured, the student imitates him; and when he is bad, he also surpasses him in that, because there is nothing easier than to become worse. He calls him the son of Gehenna, that is, exactly like Gehenna itself. And he said the words: “the worst of you” in order to frighten both the vicious disciples and to strike the scribes even more powerfully because they were teachers of iniquity. And not only for this, but also because they tried to put more evil into their disciples, involving them in greater depravity than they themselves were subject to, which serves as a sign of a highly depraved soul. Next, Christ reproaches the scribes and Pharisees for their madness - for the fact that they inspired disrespect for the most important commandments. True, before He said, apparently, the opposite, that is, that they “bind heavy and unbearable burdens” (Matthew 23:4); but they, in turn, did this, and, on the other hand, used all means to corrupt their followers, demanding from them correctness in unimportant matters and, at the same time, neglecting the most important duties. “You give tithes,” says the Savior, “of mint, anise and caraway seeds, and have left the most important things in the law: judgment, mercy and faith; This ought to be done, and this ought not to be abandoned” (Matthew 23:23). Here it could quite rightly be said: where there is tithe, there is alms; What harm is there in giving alms? But the Savior does not blame the scribes and Pharisees for keeping the law in this: no, He does not say that. This is the reason why it is here that He says, “This was the right thing to do.” But He does not make this addition where he begins to talk about things pure and unclean, but instead distinguishes internal purity from external, and shows that internal purity is necessarily followed by external purity, but not vice versa. When discussing love for mankind, He does not make such a distinction, both for the reason stated above and because the time has not yet come to directly and clearly abolish the provisions of the law. But, having begun to talk about the observance of bodily purifications, He more clearly refutes these rituals. And therefore he says about alms: “This should have been done, and this should not be abandoned”; but not so about cleansing. How? “You cleanse,” he says, “the outside of the cup and dish, while inside they are full of theft and untruth. ... Cleanse first the inside of the cup and the dish, so that the outside of them may also be clean (Matthew 23:25–26). Here Christ, speaking about the glass and the dish, explains His thought by pointing to a thing that is known and obvious to everyone. 2. Further, in order to show that there is no harm from non-observance of bodily cleansing, but on the contrary, the greatest punishment results from neglecting the cleansing of the soul, that is, virtue, the Savior called bodily cleansing a mosquito, since they were unimportant and insignificant, and actions that cleanse the soul - a camel, since the latter were unbearable. That’s why he says: “They strain out a gnat and swallow up a camel” (Matthew 23:24). External purifications were prescribed by law only for the sake of internal ones, for the sake of mercy and judgment; and therefore even in the Old Testament they did not bring any benefit, as soon as they were left alone. Since the unimportant was established for the sake of the most important, and yet the latter was abandoned and only the former served as the object, then no good came from this, even at that time: internal purification did not follow the external, whereas, on the contrary, the external necessarily already follows the internal. So, from the words of the Savior it is clear that even before the coming of grace, bodily cleansing was not among the matters important and worthy of special care, but something else was required. If these duties were such even before grace, then all the more they turned out to be useless after the proclamation of the high commandments of the New Testament and it was no longer necessary to leave them in force. So, a vicious life, in any case, is a grave evil; but it is especially harmful when the vicious person does not think at all that he needs correction; and it becomes even more destructive when such a person considers himself capable of correcting others: pointing to this, Christ calls the scribes blind leaders of the blind. Indeed, if it is already the greatest misfortune and calamity when a blind man does not find it necessary to have a guide, then into what abyss will he fall when he still wants to guide others? The Savior directs all these denunciations to point out the excessive, frantic love of fame of the scribes and Pharisees, this cruel illness from which they went crazy. Indeed, for them the cause of all evil was that they did everything for show. This led them away from faith, and disposed them to carelessness about true virtue, and prompted them to care about only bodily cleansing, without trying to cleanse the soul. That is why Christ, wanting to lead them to true virtue and to the purification of the soul, reminds them of mercy, and judgment, and faith. These are the forces that hold our life together! These are the virtues that purify the soul: truth, philanthropy, truth! Philanthropy encourages us to forgive others, and prevents us from being excessively cruel to those who sin and inflexible to forgiveness (and in this way we acquire a double benefit: we become philanthropic, and for this we ourselves gain the great philanthropy of God of all), and disposes us to sympathize with those who suffer and provide them with help. But the truth does not allow us to deceive and dissemble. But just as in the case when Christ says: “This should have been done, and this should not be abandoned,” He does not say this with the intention of introducing the observation of the Old Testament rules, - we showed this above, - so when he says about the dish and cup: “First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside of them may also be clean,” he does not prescribe the same petty pickiness, on the contrary, with all his words he wants to show that it is completely unnecessary. He did not say: “cleanse the outer also,” but “cleanse the inner”: after this, without a doubt, both will follow. However, Christ does not speak about the cup and platter, but talks about the soul and body, by the word “exterior” meaning the body, and by the word “inside” the soul. If the interior is important in a dish, then even more so in you. But you, He says, do the opposite: while observing the unimportant and external, you neglect the important and internal; This is where the greatest harm comes from, that you, considering yourself to have accomplished everything, neglect everything else; but neglect, and do not care; or do not take up its implementation. Further, Christ again reviles the scribes and Pharisees for their vanity, calling them whitened tombs, and everywhere adding the word: “hypocrites,” since this is the cause of all iniquities, and, together, their destruction. And he not only called them whitewashed coffins, but also said that they were full of uncleanness and hypocrisy. With these words He showed the reason why the scribes and Pharisees did not believe: namely, that they were filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. And not only Christ, but also the prophets constantly accuse them of predation, that their leaders do not judge them truthfully. And everywhere you will find that sacrifices are rejected, but mercy and truth are required. So, there is nothing extraordinary or new either in the commandments given by Christ, or in the reproof, or even in the likeness to tombs. The prophet also uses this similarity, and he also calls it not just a tomb, but “their throat is an open tomb” (Ps. 5:10). And now there are many similar people who are adorned on the outside, but inside are filled with all kinds of iniquity. And now they put a lot of work and a lot of care into external cleanliness, but not at all about spiritual cleanliness. But if someone were to open everyone’s conscience, he would find a lot of worms, a lot of pus and an unbearable stench - I mean vile and evil wishes that are more disgusting than worms. 3. But that these people are like this is, of course, terrible, but it is not yet true. And when we, who are honored to be the church of God, suddenly become tombs containing such a stench, this is already an extreme disaster. To be the grave of the one in whom Christ lived and the Holy Spirit acted, in whom so many mysteries were accomplished—what a disaster indeed! What weeping and mourning is worthy when the members of Christ become a tomb full of uncleanness! Think about how you were born, what you were worthy of, what clothes you received, how you became an incorruptible, beautiful church, adorned not with gold or pearls, but with the Spirit, which is incomparably more precious. Think that in the city they do not keep a single coffin with a dead person; therefore you cannot appear in the city above. If it is prohibited here, then even more so there. Or better yet, everyone here would laugh at you if you started carrying a dead person, and they would not only laugh at you, but also run away from you. Tell me: if someone carried a dead body with him everywhere, wouldn’t everyone retreat and run away from him? Think the same way in the present case. You present a much more terrible sight: you carry everywhere a soul that has died from sins, a soul consigned to rot. Who would regret such a person? If you do not regret your soul, will anyone else regret such a cruel and destructive enemy to himself? If someone buried a dead body in your bedroom or dining room, what would you not do? And you bury a dead soul not in the dining room or in the bedroom, but between the members of Christ - and are you not afraid that thousands of thunder and lightning will strike your head from heaven? How do you dare to go to the Church of God and the holy churches, being filled inside with such a disgusting stench? If anyone had brought a dead man into the royal palace and laid him there, he would have suffered the most severe punishment. And you enter the sacred enclosure and fill the house of God with such a stench: think what kind of punishment you will be subjected to! Imitate that harlot who anointed Christ’s feet with myrrh and filled the whole house with fragrance; you are doing exactly the opposite regarding the house of God. What's the point if you don't feel the stench? This is only an extreme degree of illness. This means that your illness is incurable; that it is much more cruel than the disease of those whose bodies rot and give off a bad smell. This last illness makes one feel suffering, and does not deserve any blame, but is even worthy of pity; the first one is worthy of disgust and torment. Since this disease, and for this reason, is more serious and does not allow the patient to feel as he should, then listen carefully - I will clearly show you its destruction. First, listen to what you say when you sing: “Let my prayer be like incense before Thy face” (Ps. 140:2). But if not incense, but stinking smoke rises from you and from your deeds, then why are you not worthy of being punished? What is this stinking smoke? Many people know this, namely those who look at beautiful women and look out for attractive girls. Isn’t it still surprising that thunderclaps will not erupt and everything will not be destroyed to the ground? Indeed, what happens here is worth thunder and hell. But God, in His long-suffering and great mercy, withholds His anger for the time being, calling you to repentance and correction. What are you doing, man? You look out for beautiful women and do not tremble, causing such an insult to the church of God! Do you really consider the church an indecent house and consider it worse than the square? In the square you are afraid and ashamed of being noticed, looking out for women; and in the church of God, when God himself talks to you and threatens you with punishment for such actions, you commit fornication and adultery at the very time when you hear that you should not do this. And you do not tremble, you are not horrified? Seductive spectacles teach you this - this ineradicable ulcer, harmful poison, nets from which it is difficult for those caught in them to escape, pleasure and at the same time death for the voluptuous. That is why the prophet in his denunciation says: “But your eyes and your heart are turned only to your self-interest” (Jer. 22:17). It is better for such people to be blind, it is better to be sick, than to abuse their eyesight in this way. There should be a wall inside the church that would separate you from the women. But as you do not want this, the fathers considered it necessary to separate you, at least with these wooden boards; in ancient times, I heard from the elders, there were no such walls - “there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28) - and even in the time of the apostles there were men and women together. Then men were men, and women were women, but now everything is the opposite: women have adopted the morals of harlots, and men are no better than wild horses. Have you not heard that men and wives were together in the upper room, and such a meeting was worthy of heaven? And quite rightly, because women at that time led a pious, ascetic life, and men maintained purity and chastity. Listen to what the woman who sold the scarlet says: “If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, then come into my house and live [with me]” (Acts 16:15). Listen to the women who, guided by the thoughts of men, went everywhere with the apostles: about Priscilla, Persis and others, from whom today’s women are as far removed as men are from those men. 4. Then the women, although they walked through foreign countries, did not bring bad fame upon themselves; and now even those brought up in inner rooms barely escape such suspicion. And this comes from excessive dresses and effeminacy. Those women's job was to spread the sermon, but today's women are concerned with appearing handsome, beautiful and pleasant in appearance. This is their glory, this is their salvation! And they never even dream about any lofty and important undertakings. Which wife tried her best to make her husband better? What kind of husband took care of his wife's correction? There is none. On the contrary, the wife has only worries about gold jewelry, clothes and other outfits, and also about increasing property; and the husband is busy, besides these, with many other concerns, all of them worldly. Who, intending to get married, tried to find out the character and behavior of the girl? Nobody. On the contrary, everyone immediately asks about money, about property, about how much of all kinds of household items - no matter how much they would like to buy something, or conclude some ordinary trade agreement. For this reason, marriage is called by this name. I have heard many people say: so-and-so made an agreement with so-and-so, that is, got married. This is how they mock the gifts of God: they get married and are given in marriage, as if they were buying and selling something. And written conditions for marriages are concluded with much greater caution than for matters of purchase and sale. Look at how the ancients married and imitate them. How did they join? They looked for good behavior and morals, and spiritual perfection in the bride; and therefore had no need for written contracts, for security through paper and ink. Instead of everything, the spiritual qualities of the bride were enough for them. So, I beg you to seek not money and wealth, but good behavior and meekness. Look for a God-fearing and prudent maiden, and this will be better for you than countless treasures. If you seek what pleases God, you will receive this too; but if, leaving the first, you chase after the last, you will not get even that. But so-and-so, you say, got rich from his wife. Aren't you ashamed to give such examples? I have heard these words from many: I would rather suffer extreme poverty than receive wealth from my wife. And really, what could be more unpleasant than such wealth? What could be more painful than such abundance? What is more shameful - to become famous in this way and give everyone a reason to talk about himself: so-and-so got rich from his wife? I'm not even talking about the domestic troubles that must necessarily happen from here; I’m not talking about the arrogance of the wife, the servility of the husband, about quarrels, about reproaches from the servants when they say: a beggar, a scrapper, low and from a low state; what did you come with? Doesn't everything belong to the lady? But you don’t worry about what they say about you, because you are no longer free. Those who are accustomed to eating other people's bread hear worse reviews about themselves and are not sad; in the same way, these too, and even impute such shame to themselves as praise; and when we say this to them, they answer: it would be nice and sweet, otherwise even if I die. Oh devil! What sayings he introduced into the world - they are capable of completely ruining the lives of such people! Consider these most destructive, devilish words, how filled with destruction they are. After all, they do not say anything other than the following: do not think about honesty, about justice; throw it all away, look for only one thing - pleasure, no matter what it costs you, get it; even if everyone who meets you spits on you, even if they throw dirt in your face, even if they chase you like a dog, endure everything. If pigs and unclean dogs could speak, would they say anything worse than this? Of course, they would not have said what the devil inspires people to say, as if in a rage. Now you know the meaninglessness of these words. Therefore, I beg you to avoid such sayings and choose from the Scriptures sayings that are contrary to these sayings. What are these sayings? “Do not go,” it is said, “following your lusts and refrain from your desires” (Sir. 19:30). And regarding the harlot, there is also a nasty saying in the parables: “[Do not listen to a flattering woman], for the mouth of another man’s wife drips honey, and her speech is softer than oil; but its consequences are bitter like wormwood, sharp like a two-edged sword” (Prov. 5:3–4). Let us heed these sayings, not those. From those sayings the base thoughts characteristic of slaves are born; from them people become senseless animals, because everywhere they look only for pleasure, following that saying, which, even without our words, in itself, is worthy of ridicule. After death, what profit will you have from pleasures? So, stop exposing yourself to ridicule and kindling the unquenchable fire of Gehenna, and having washed away the pus from our eyes, although it is too late, let us look properly at the future, so that we can lead our present life decently, in all purity and piety, and be worthy of future blessings by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Literal translation: “incoming.” – I.N. You might be interested in: