St. John Chrysostom
Homily 44,45 on the Gospel of
John
3. Monday after Pasha
John 6:26-33
John 6:26-27
Jesus answered them, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, You seek
Me, not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and
were filled. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures
unto everlasting life.
1. The mild and gentle is not always useful, but there are times when
the teacher needs sharper language. For if the disciple be dull and gross,
then, in order to touch his dullness to the quick, we must rouse him with a
goad. And this the Son of God has done in the present as well as in many other cases.
For when the crowds had come and found Jesus, and were flattering Him, and
saying, Master, when camest Thou hither?
to show that He desires not honor from men, but looks to one thing only, their
salvation, He answers them sharply, wishing to correct them not in this way
only, but also by revealing and exposing their thoughts. For what says He? Verily, verily, I say unto you, (speaking
positively and with a confirmation,) You
seek Me, not because ye saw miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and
were filled. He chides and reproves them by these words, yet does not so
abruptly or violently, but very sparingly. For He says not, O you gluttons and belly-slaves, I have
wrought so many wonders, and you never have either followed Me, or marveled at
My doings; but mildly and gently somewhat in this manner; You seek Me, not
because ye saw miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled;
speaking not only of the past, but also of the present miracle. It was not, He
says, the miracle of the loaves that astonished you, but the being filled. And
that He said not this of them by conjecture they straightway showed, for on
this account they came the second time, as being about to enjoy the same (food)
as before. Wherefore they said, Our fathers did eat manna in the wilderness.
Again they draw Him to (the subject of) carnal food, which was the chief
accusation and charge against them. But He stops not at rebukes, but adds
instruction also, saying, Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that
meat which endures unto everlasting life.
Which the Son of Man gives unto you; for Him has God the Father sealed.
What He says, is of this kind: Make no account of this earthly, but of
that spiritual food. But since some of those who desire to live in doing
nothing have abused this speech, as though Christ would entirely abolish
working, it is seasonable to say somewhat to them. For they slander, so to
speak, all Christianity, and cause it to be ridiculed on the score of idleness.
First however, we must mention that saying of Paul. What says he? Remember the Lord, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35 Now how can it be
possible for him to give who has not? How then says Jesus to Martha, You are careful and troubled about many
things, but one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part? Luke 10:41-42; and again, Take no thought for the morrow. Matthew 6:34 For it is necessary now to
resolve all these questions, not only that we may check men if they would be
idle, but also that the oracles of God may not appear to bring in what is
contradictory.
Now Paul in another place says, But
we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more, that you study to be
quiet, and to do your own business; that you may walk honestly toward them that
are without 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12;
and again; Let him that stole, steal no
more; but rather let him labor, working with his own hands, that he may have to
give to him that needs. Ephesians
4:28 Here the Apostle bids not simply work, but to work so vigorously and
laboriously, as to have thereby somewhat to give to others. And in another
place the same says again; These hands
have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. Acts 20:34 And writing to the
Corinthians he said, What is my reward
then? Verily, that when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ
without charge. 1 Corinthians 9:18
And when he was in that city, he abode with Aquila and Priscilla, and wrought,
for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3
These passages show a yet more decided opposition as to the letter; we
must therefore now bring forward the solution. What then must be our reply?
That to take no thought, does not mean not to work, but not to be nailed to the
things of this life; that is, to take no care for tomorrow's ease, but to deem
that superfluous. For a man may do no work, and (yet) lay up treasure for the
morrow; and a man may work, yet be careful for nothing; for carefulness and
work are not the same thing; it is not as trusting to his work that a man
works, but, that he may impart to him that needs. And that too which was said
to Martha refers not to works and working, but to this, that it is our duty to
know the right season, and not to spend on carnal things the time proper for
listening. Thus Christ spoke not the words as urging her to idleness, but to
rivet her to listening. I came, says He, to teach you needful things, but you
are anxious about a meal. Do you desire to receive Me, and to provide for Me a
costly table? Provide another sort of entertainment, by giving me a ready
hearing, and by imitating your sister's longing for instruction. He said not this to forbid her hospitality,
(away with the thought! How could that be?) but to show that she ought not in
the season for listening be busy about other matters. For to say, Labor not for the meat that perishes, is not
the expression of one implying that we ought to be idle; (in fact, this
most especially is meat that perishes, for idleness is wont to teach all wickedness;)
but that we ought to work, and to impart. This is meat that never perishes; but
if any be idle and gluttonous, and cares for luxury, that man works for the
meat that perishes. So too, if a man by his labor should feed Christ, and give
Him drink, and clothe Him, who so senseless and mad as to say that such an one
labors for the meat that perishes, when there is for this the promise of the
kingdom that is to come, and of those good things? This meat endures forever.
But at that time, since the multitudes made no account of filth, nor sought to
learn who it was that did these things, and by what power, but desired one
thing only, to fill their bellies without working; Christ with good reason
called such food, meat that perishes. I fed, He says, your bodies, that after this ye might seek that other food which
endures, which nourishes the soul; but you again run after that which is
earthy. Therefore ye do not understand that I lead you not to this imperfect
food, but to that which gives not temporal but eternal life, which nourishes
not the body but the soul. Then when He had uttered such great words
concerning Himself, and had said that He would give this food, in order that
what was spoken might not stand in their way, to make His saying credible He
attributes the supply to the Father. For after saying, Which the Son of Man shall give you; He adds, Him has God the Father sealed, that is, has sent Him for this purpose,
that He might bring the food to you. The saying also admits of another
interpretation; for in another place Christ says, He that hears My words, has set to his seal that God is true John 3:33, that is, has showed forth
undeniably. Which indeed the expression seems to me to hint at even in this
place, for the Father has sealed, is nothing else than has declared, has
revealed by His testimony. He in fact declared Himself too, but since He was
speaking to Jews, He brought forward the
testimony of the Father.
2. Learn we then, beloved, to ask of God the things which it is meet for
us to ask of Him. For those other things, those, I mean, which belong to this
life, whichever way they may fall out, can do us no injury; for if we be rich,
it is here only that we shall enjoy our luxury; and if we fall into poverty, we
shall suffer nothing terrible. For neither the splendors nor the pains of the
present life have much power in respect either of despondency or pleasure, they
are contemptible, and slip away very swiftly. Wherefore they are called a way,
with reason, because they pass away, and by their very nature do not long
endure, but the things which are to come endure eternally, both those of
punishment and those of the Kingdom. Let us then in regard of these things use
much diligence to avoid the first and to choose the last. For what is the
advantage of this world's luxury? Today it is, and tomorrow it is not; today a
bright flower, tomorrow scattered dust; today a burning fire, tomorrow
smouldering ashes. But spiritual things are not so, they ever remain shining
and blooming, and becoming brighter every day. That wealth never perishes,
never departs, never ceases, never brings with it care or envy or blame,
destroys not the body, corrupts not the soul, is without ill will, heaps not up
malice; all which things attend on the other kind of wealth. That honor lifts
not men into folly, does not make them puffed up, never ceases nor is dimmed.
Again, the rest and delight of heaven endures continually, ever being immovable
and immortal, one cannot find its end or limit. This life then let us desire,
for if we do so we shall make no account of present things, but shall despise
and mock at them all, and though one should bid us enter into kingly halls, we
shall not while we have this hope choose to do so; yet nothing (earthly) seems
more near to happiness than such a permission; but to those who are possessed
by love of heaven, even this seems little and mean, and worthy of no account.
Nothing which comes to an end is to be much desired; whatever ceases, and today
is and tomorrow is not, even though it be very great, yet seems to be very
little and contemptible. Then let us not cling to fleeting things which slip
away and depart, but to those which are enduring and immovable. To which may we
all attain, through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom and with whom, to the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory, now and ever
and world without end. Amen.
Homily 45
on the Gospel of John
John 6:28-30
28.Then said
they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
"Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus
answered and said unto them, This is the
work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent. They said therefore
unto Him, What sign showest thou then,
that we may see and believe thee? what dost thou work?"
[1.] There is nothing worse, nothing more shameful, than
gluttony; it makes the mind gross, and the soul carnal; it blinds, and permits
not to see clearly. Observe, for instance, how this is the case with the Jews;
for because they were intent upon gluttony, entirely occupied with worldly
things, and without any spiritual thoughts, though Christ leads them on by ten
thousand sayings, sharp and at the same time forbearing, even thus they arise
not, but continue groveling below. For consider; He said to them, "Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the
miracles, but because ye did eat of the bread, and were filled"; He
touched them by the reproof, He showed them what food they ought to seek,
saying, "Labor not for the meat that
perisheth"; He set before them the prize, saying, "but that which endureth unto everlasting life"; then
provided a remedy for what might have been an objection, by declaring that He
was sent from the Father.
What then did they? As though they had heard nothing, they
said, "What shall we do, that we
might work the works of God?" This they said, not that they might
learn and do them, (as the sequel shows,) but to induce Him again to supply
them with food, and desiring to persuade Him to satisfy them. What then saith
Christ? "This is the work of God,
that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." On this they asked, "What sign showest thou, that we may
see and believe?"
29. Jesus
answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him
whom he hath sent.
30. They said
therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe
thee? what dost thou work?
John 6:31
31. Our fathers
did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven
to eat.
Ver. 31. "Our
fathers did eat manna in the wilderness."
Nothing more senseless, nothing more unreasonable, than these
men! While the miracle was yet in their hands, ["in their eyes."] as
though none had been done, they spake after this manner, "What sign
shewest thou?" and having thus spoken, they do not even allow Him the
right of choosing the sign, but think to force Him to exhibit none other than
such a one as was wrought in the days of their fathers; wherefore they say, "Our fathers did eat manna in the
wilderness," thinking by this to provoke Him to work such a miracle as
might supply them with carnal nourishment. Else why did they mention none other
of the miracles of old, though many took place in those times, both in Egypt
and at the sea and in the wilderness, but only that of the manna? Was it not
because they greatly desired that one by reason of the tyranny of their
bellies? Ye who when ye saw His miracle called him a Prophet, and attempted to
make Him a king, how is that now, as though none had been wrought, ye have
become thankless and ill-minded, and ask for a sign, uttering words fit for
parasites, or hungry dogs? Does the manna now seem wonderful to you? Your soul
is not now [1253] parched up.
Mark too their hypocrisy. They said not, "Moses did this sign, what doest thou?" thinking it would
annoy Him; but for a while they address Him with great reverence, through
expectation of food. So they neither said, "God
did this, what doest thou?" that they might not seem to make Him equal
with God; nor did they bring forward Moses, that they might not seem to lower
Him, but put the matter in an intermediate form, "Our fathers did eat manna in the wilderness." He indeed
might have replied, "I, but now,
have wrought greater wonders than did Moses, requiring no rod, having no need
of prayer, but doing all of Myself; and, if ye call to remembrance the manna,
see, I have given you bread." But this was not the season for such speeches;
and the one thing He earnestly desired was, to bring them to spiritual food.
And observe His infinite wisdom and His manner of answering.
John 6:32
32. Then Jesus
said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread
from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Ver. 32. "Moses
gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread
from heaven."
Why said He not, "It
was not Moses that gave it to you, but I"; but putteth God in the
place of Moses, and Himself instead of manna? Because the infirmity of His
hearers was great. As is seen from what followeth. For not even when He had
spoken thus did He secure their attention, although He said at first, "Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the
miracle, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." (Ver. 26 .) Now because they sought
these (carnal) things, He would have corrected them by His succeeding words,
yet not even so did they desist. When He promised the Samaritan woman that He
would give her "the water,"
He made no mention of the Father. What saith He? "If thou knewest who it is that saith unto thee, Give Me to drink,
thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given unto thee living
water" (c. iv. 10); and
again, "The water which I shall
give." He referreth her not to The Father. But here He maketh mention
of The Father, that thou mayest understand how great was the faith of the Samaritan
woman, and how great the infirmity of the Jews.
Was then the manna not from heaven? How then is it said to be
from heaven? In the same manner as Scripture speaketh of "fowls of heaven" (Psalm 8:8); and again, "The
Lord thundered from heaven." (Psalm 18:13.) And He calleth that other the "true bread," not because the
miracle of the manna was false, but because it was a type, and not the very
truth. But in mentioning Moses, He doth not compare Himself to him, for the
Jews did not as yet prefer Him to Moses, of whom they still had a higher
opinion. So that after saying, "Moses
gave not," He addeth not that "I
give," but saith that The Father, and not Moses, giveth. They, when
they heard this, replied, "Give us
this bread to eat"; for they yet thought that it was something
material, they yet expected to gratify their appetites, and so hastily ran to
Him. What doth Christ? Leading them on [up] little by little, He saith,
John 6:33
33. For the
bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the
world.
Ver. 33. "The
bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the
world."
Not, saith He, to Jews alone, but to all the "world," not mere food, but "life," another and an altered
"life." He calleth it "life," because they all were
dead in sins. Yet they still kept downward bent, saying,
