Беседа 90

“As they walked, some of the guards entered the city and announced to the high priests everything that had happened. And these, having gathered with the elders and held a meeting, gave enough money to the soldiers, and said: say that His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were sleeping; and if rumors about this reach the ruler, we will convince him and save you from trouble.” (Matthew 28:11–14) The improbability of the theft of Christ's body is proven by the presence of guards at the tomb, the timidity of the disciples, and the cloth remaining in the tomb. – The truth of the resurrection is confirmed by the testimony of the enemies about the empty tomb. – Appearance of the Risen One in Galilee. - The meaning of the promise given by Christ. – The ease of fulfillment of the commandments of Christ. – Prevalence and severity of the disease of love of money. - Wealth does not give security. – Poverty is not evil. - The superiority of poverty over wealth. “It is not miracles, but the contempt of wealth that brings glory.” 1. An earthquake occurred for the soldiers to frighten them and so that they could be witnesses. This is what happened. The guards' story about this incident was not at all suspicious, because some of the signs were visible throughout the universe, others were privately shown to those at the tomb. The sign for the entire universe was darkness, and the private sign was the appearance of an angel and an earthquake. So, when they came and announced the resurrection (and the truth shines even in the mouths of its enemies), “they gave money to the soldiers” so that they could say “that His disciples, coming at night, stole Him.” How was it stolen? Oh, crazy ones! The truth is so clear and obvious that they do not even know how to lie! Their words were completely incredible, and the lie had no credibility. Tell me, how did the disciples steal Him, these poor and simple people who did not even dare to show themselves? And wasn’t there a seal on the coffin? Was the tomb not guarded on all sides by guards of soldiers and Jews? Did they not suspect the same thing, were they not worried, were they not vigilant, were they not concerned? And why should they steal? Is it to invent the doctrine of the resurrection? But how could the idea of ​​inventing something like this come to people who loved to live in the unknown? And how did they roll away the approved stone? How did you hide from such a multitude? Let them despise death; but in vain and without purpose, of course, they would not have ventured into such a danger when there were so many guards. And that they were fearful is shown by their previous actions. So, when Christ was taken in their presence, they all fled. If they did not dare to resist even at the time when they saw Him alive, then how could they not be afraid of the multitude of soldiers after His death? Shouldn't it have been necessary to break down the door? Was it possible to do this secretly, even alone? The stone was rolled down large; it took a lot of hands to get it off. So, they rightly said: “And the last deception will be worse than the first,” - they said this against themselves; They would need to repent of their madness, but they add new ridiculous inventions to the old ones. They bought His blood while He was alive; and after His crucifixion and resurrection, they again try to undermine the truth of the resurrection with money. See how they are caught on all sides by their own actions! If they had not come to Pilate, if they had not asked for guards, they could still have been shameless in this way; now, on the contrary: they all did it as if they were trying to stop their mouths. And if the disciples could not stay awake with Jesus, despite the fact that He even reproached them for this, then where did they now receive such cheerfulness? And why didn’t they steal earlier, but then when you came? If they wanted to do this, they would have done it on the first night, when there were no guards at the tomb; then it was not at all difficult and completely safe. It was only on Saturday that the Jews came to Pilate to ask for guards and began to guard; On the very first night, none of the guards were at the coffin. 2. Next, what does the cloth with myrrh mean? Peter saw him lying there. If the disciples wanted to steal, then they would not steal the naked body, not only so as not to cause dishonor, but also because, while undressing, they would not wake up those who could get up and grab them. But it was difficult to remove clothes from the body, and it took a lot of time, because myrrh sticks to the body and clothes like an adhesive substance. Thus, and from here the improbability of the abduction is obvious. Did they really not know the fury of the Jews, and the fact that by this they would turn their wrath upon themselves? And what would be the benefit to them if Christ had not risen? The Jews themselves admitted that they had invented all this when they gave the silver, and said: “Tell me, ... and if rumors about this reach the ruler, we will convince him.” Fighting in vain against the truth, they wanted to spread this rumor everywhere; but by the very same thing they tried to darken it, they against their will contributed to its shining. Their very words: “what His disciples... stole” confirm the resurrection. They agree that the body was not there. If they confess that the body was not there, and the falsity and improbability of the abduction is proven by the presence of guards at the tomb, by signs and by the timidity of the disciples, then an indisputable proof of the resurrection is revealed. And yet, they shamelessly dare to do everything; while everything stops their mouths, they say: “Tell me,... and if rumors about this reach the ruler, we will convince him and save you from trouble.” You see how everyone is conspiring on their side: Pilate (they wanted to convince him), and the soldiers, and the Jewish people. But don't be surprised that money won over the warriors. When they showed such power over a student, then even more so over them. “And this word has spread...until this day.” Look again, what love for the truth the disciples show! How are they not ashamed to say that such a rumor has spread about them! “The eleven disciples went to Galilee... and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but others doubted” (Matthew 28:16–17). This, it seems to me, was His last appearance in Galilee, when He sent them with the command to baptize. If some doubted, then in this case, marvel at their love for the truth, how they did not hide their mistakes, even in the last days that happened to them. However, some of these were confirmed by the phenomenon. What did He say when He appeared to them? “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). Again he speaks to them humanly, since they have not yet received the Holy Spirit, which would make them more exalted. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Here He speaks of doctrine and commandments. He does not mention anything about the Jews, is silent about previous incidents, does not reproach Peter for his rejection, or any of the others for fleeing. He only commands that His teaching be proclaimed throughout the entire universe, which He handed over to them in abbreviated form along with the commandment of baptism. But since He commanded them a great work, he encouraged their hearts and said: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Do you not see His power again? And don’t you see with what condescension He says this? He will not only be with them, He says, but also with all those who will believe after them. The apostles could not remain “until the end of the age”; but He speaks to all the faithful, as if to one body. Do not tell Me, he said, about obstacles and difficulties: I am with you, who makes everything easy! This is what He often said to the prophets in the Old Testament: to Jeremiah, when he pointed to his youth; To Moses and Ezekiel, who refused, He said: “I am with you.” He says the same thing here to his disciples. But notice here, too, what a difference there is between the two. They often refused, being sent to one people; these, sent throughout the universe, did not say anything like that. He reminds them of the end of the age in order to attract them more, and so that they not only look at present sorrows, but also at future endless blessings. The tribulations, He says, which you will undergo, will end with this present life, since this very present age will come to an end; the benefits that you will receive are eternal, as I have often told you before. Having thus strengthened and encouraged their spirits by this reminder of the last day, He sent them into the world. Truly, this day is as desirable for those who spent their lives in good deeds as it is terrible for those who spent it in sins, as for those who have to suffer punishment. But let us not only be afraid and horrified, let us also bring repentance while there is time, and let us renounce wickedness. For us it is possible, you just have to want it. If many accomplished such a feat before grace, then all the more can this be done under grace. 3. Indeed, what burdensome things are commanded to us? Should we cut mountains? Or fly through the air? Or swim across the Tyrrhenian Sea? Not at all. We are commanded to live such an easy way of life that we do not need any tools for it—we only need our soul and disposition. What tools did the apostles have to carry out such deeds? Didn’t they walk around in the same clothes and without shoes, and yet they overcame everything? What is difficult about the commandments of Christ? Don't hate anyone; Don’t slander anyone: the opposite is much more serious. But you will say that He says: give up your possessions. So is this the difficulty? But He did not decisively command this, but only gave advice. Yes, even if this were a commandment, what burden could there be in not taking on burdens and restless worries? Oh, love of money! Everything came down to money - that’s why everything got mixed up! Does anyone please anyone, remembers money; whether they call him unhappy, the reason is again in them. That's all they talk about, who is rich and who is poor. Whether someone intends to enter military service, someone wants to get married, someone wants to take up some art, or anything else he undertakes, he does not first begin to fulfill his intention until he is sure that it will bring him great profit. So, together, shouldn’t we seek advice on how to eliminate this disease? Are we not ashamed of the virtues of our fathers? Those three thousand, those five thousand people who had everything in common? What good is this life if we cannot buy the future life with it? How long will you not enslave Mammon who enslaved you? How long will you be slaves to money? How long will you not love freedom and break the bonds of the love of money? When you are in slavery, then you decide to do anything if only someone promises you freedom. And being captives of the love of money, you do not even think of freeing yourself from this bitter slavery. That slavery is not so hard; and this is the most intolerable yoke. Think what a great price Christ paid for us! He shed His own blood, betrayed Himself. And even after all this you have fallen, and, what is most terrible of all, you also take comfort in your slavery, enjoy your disgrace, and desire what you should avoid. It is necessary, however, not only to mourn and condemn, but also to correct. Therefore, let us consider why this destructive passion has become dear to us? So why? Why did she become kind to us? Because, you say, it brings glory and security. But tell me, what kind of security? Of course, the one that we hope with money will not endure hunger, cold, harm, or contempt. So, if I promise you such security, will you stop wanting wealth? If wealth is only good for you, then when you can be safe without it, what else do you need it? But how is it possible, you say, to achieve this without wealth? On the contrary, how is this possible for the rich? In fact, he must, of necessity, flatter many, both superiors and subordinates, have a need for many things, be servile to the point of baseness, fear, tremble, assume envious people, fear slanderers and the greed of other self-interested people. But in poverty this does not happen, but it is completely opposite. This is a serene and safe refuge, a quiet haven, a school of wisdom, an angelic way of life. Hear this, you poor people, and even more so, you who want to be rich! It’s bad to not be poor, but it’s bad to not want to be poor. Do not consider poverty an evil, and it will not be an evil for you. The cause of fear lies not in the essence of the thing itself, but only in the opinion of pampered people. However, I would even be ashamed if I only said about poverty that it is not evil. If you think more carefully, you will even find it a source of countless benefits; and when someone began to offer you leadership, some kind of civil power, wealth, pleasures, then he would offer you poverty and give you the freedom to choose what you wanted, you would immediately choose poverty; if only I knew its value. 4. I know that many people laugh at these words; but we are not embarrassed, we ask you to be patient, and you will soon agree with us. Poverty, in my opinion, is like a modest, innocent, beautiful maiden, while selfishness is like a bestial wife, the monstrous Skilla 25, Hydra and other similar monsters invented by fable-makers. Do not present to me those who condemn poverty, but present to me those who have become famous through poverty. Elijah, brought up in poverty, was delighted with that blissful admiration; Elisha became famous for it; John was in poverty, and all the other apostles were in poverty. With wealth, Ahab, Jezebel, Gehazi, Judas, Nero and Caiaphas perished. If you like, let’s look not only at those who were glorified in poverty; but let us consider the very beauty of this maiden. Her gaze is clear, bright and calm; while the eyes of greed are sometimes filled with malice, sometimes they express satiety with pleasure, sometimes they become clouded from intemperance. This is not the look of poverty: it is meek, clear, friendly, affectionate, pleasant, and expresses neither hatred nor disgust towards anyone. Where there is money, there is opportunity for enmity and countless feuds; in the same way, the lips of selfishness are filled with insults, vanity, excessive pride, curses and flattery. But poverty has healthy lips and tongue, always filled with gratitude, reverence, meek, kind, submissive words, approval and praise. Do you want to know the slimness of her figure? It is incomparably higher and more majestic than wealth. And if many run away from it, then don’t be surprised: crazy people run away from other virtues. But you say: the poor are offended by the rich? Again you speak in praise of poverty. Who is blessed, tell me - the one who offends, or the one who is offended? Obviously, blessed is he who is offended. But the love of money forces one to offend, and poverty makes one endure insults. The poor man, you say, is starving? And Paul was hungry and had nothing to satisfy his hunger. Does the poor have no safe haven? And the Son of man had no place to lay his head. Do you see how far the dignity of poverty extends, where it places you, how it makes you like men, and how it makes you imitators of the Lord himself? If it were good to have gold, then Christ, Who gave untold blessings to His disciples, would have given it to them too. He not only did not give it to them, but forbade them to have it. That is why Peter is not only not ashamed of poverty, but even boasts of it, saying: “I have no silver or gold; and what I have I give to you” (Acts 3:6). Who among us would not like to say such words? Of course, everything would be possible, someone might say. So despise silver, despise gold. But will I receive the strength of Peter, you say, when I neglect wealth? Tell me what made Peter blessed: was it that he healed the lame? Not at all, but the fact that he had no wealth, and through this he reached heaven. Many of those who performed miracles were cast into Gehenna; on the contrary, those who despised wealth received the kingdom of heaven. Peter himself speaks about this; Here are two of his sayings: “I have no silver and gold”; and: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.” So what made him glorious and blessed? Healing the lame, or despising wealth? Find out this from the words of the Hero himself. What does He say to the rich man seeking eternal life? He did not tell him: heal the lame, but said: “Sell everything that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22, Mark 10:21). And Peter again did not say: Behold, in Your name we cast out demons, although I did cast them out; but says: “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what will happen to us” (Matthew 19:27)? And Christ, again, answering him, did not say: if anyone heals the lame, but says: “Whoever leaves houses... or lands... will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). So we too will be jealous of this, so that we will not be ashamed, but will boldly stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and have Him with us, as He was with His disciples. He will be with us, just as He was with the disciples, if we want to follow them and imitate the rules and way of their life. For this God crowns and glorifies; but does not require that you raise the dead or heal the lame. It is not such miracles that make one like Peter, but contempt of wealth - this was the perfection of the apostle. But, in your opinion, it is impossible to despise wealth? Very possible. However, if you don’t want to, I don’t force or insist; but I only beg you to give at least some part to the poor, and not to look for anything other than what is necessary. Thus, here too we will enjoy a calm and serene life, and we will be worthy of eternal life, which we all will be worthy of through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. The daughter of Forcus, according to Greek fable, turned into a monster. You might be interested in: