ACC ~ Luke 6 v37 - 38

THE PRACTICE OF MERCY

AUGUSTINE: The practice of mercy is twofold: when vengeance is sacrificed and when compassion is shown. The Lord included both of these in his brief sentence: “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given to you.” This work has the effect of purifying the heart, so that, even under the limitations of this life, we are enabled with pure mind to see the immutable reality of God. There is something holding us back, which has to be loosed so that our sight may break through to the light. In connection with this the Lord said, “Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you.” [1] Therefore the next and sixth step is that cleansing of the heart. LETTER 171A. [2]

[1] Lk 11:41.

[2] FC 30:70*.

DO NOT JUDGE, BUT CONSIDER YOUR OWN MISDOINGS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He cuts away from our minds a very unmanageable passion, the commencement and begetter of pride. While it is people’s duty to examine themselves and to order their conduct according to God’s will, they leave this alone to busy themselves with the affairs of others. He that judges the brother, as the disciple of Christ says, speaks against the law and judges the law. [1] The lawgiver and judge are One. The judge of the sinning soul must be higher than that soul. Since you are not, the sinner will object to you as judge. Why judge your neighbor? But if you venture to condemn him, having no authority to do it, it is yourself rather that will be condemned, because the law does not permit you to judge others.

Whoever therefore is guided by good sense, does not look at the sins of others, does not busy himself about the faults of his neighbor, but closely reviews his own misdoings. Such was the blessed psalmist, falling down before God and saying on account of his own offenses, “If you, Lord, closely regard iniquities, who can endure?” [2] Once again, putting forward the infirmity of human nature as an excuse, he prays for a reasonable pardon, saying, “Remember that we are dirt.” [3] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 29. [4]

[1] Jas 4:11.

[2] Ps 129:3.

[3] Ps 102:14.

[4] CGSL 137-38**.

JUDGE FROM JUSTICE, FORGIVE FROM GRACE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Do not judge, that is, unjustly, so that you may not be judged, with regard to injustice. With the judgment that you judge shall you be judged. [1] This is like the phrase “Forgive, and it will be forgiven you.” For once someone has judged in accordance with justice, he should forgive in accordance with grace, so that when he himself is judged in accordance with justice, he may be worthy of forgiveness through grace. Alternatively, it was on account of the judges, those who seek vengeance for themselves, that he said, “Do not condemn.” That is, do not seek vengeance for yourselves. Or, do not judge, from appearances and opinion and then condemn, but admonish and advise. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 6.18B. [2]

[1] Mt 7:2.

[2] JSSS 2:122*.

TWO KINDS OF ALMSGIVING:

GIVING AND FORGIVING

AUGUSTINE: The Christian soul understands how far removed he should be from theft of another’s goods when he realizes that failure to share his surplus with the needy is like to theft. The Lord says, “Give, and it shall be given to you. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.” Let us graciously and fervently perform these two types of almsgiving, that is, giving and forgiving, for we in turn pray the Lord to give us good things and not to repay our evil deeds. SERMON 206.2. [1]

[1] FC 38:87.

TWO WINGS OF PRAYER

AUGUSTINE: “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” “Give, and it will be given you.” These are the two wings of prayer, on which it flies to God. Pardon the offender what has been committed, and give to the person in need. SERMON 205.3. [1]

[1] WSA 3 6:105.

MERCY, CHARITY AND FORGIVENESS

AUGUSTINE: So there is hope in God’s mercy, if our misery is not so barren as to yield no work of mercy. What do you want from the Lord? Mercy. Give, and it shall be given to you. What do you want from the Lord? Pardon. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. SERMON 179A.1. [1]

[1] WSA 3 5:306.

CHRISTIANS ARE THE GRANARIES OF THE POOR

AUGUSTINE: You give alms. You receive alms. You pardon. You are pardoned. You are generous. You are treated generously. Listen to God saying, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and things will be given to you.”

Keep the poor in mind. I say this to all of you. Give alms, my brothers and sisters, and you won’t lose what you give. Trust God. I’m not only telling you you won’t lose what you do for the poor, but I’m telling you plainly, this is all that you won’t lose. … Come now, let’s see if you can cheer the poor up today. You be their granaries, so that God may give to you what you can give to them, and so that he may forgive whatever sins you have committed. SERMON 376A.3. [1]

[1] WSA 3 10:350*.

THE PARADOX OF GOD’S BOUNTY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He has given us full assurance that God, who gives all things abundantly to those who love him, shall reward us with bountiful hand. He said, “Good measure, and squeezed down, and running over shall they give into your bosom.” He added this too, “For with what measure you give, it shall be measured to you.” There is, however, an apparent incompatibility between the two declarations. If we are to receive good measure, and squeezed down, and running over, how shall we be paid back the same measure we give? For this implies an equal reward, and not one of far-surpassing abundance. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 29. [1]

[1] CGSL 133-34**.