ACC ~ Matthew 5 v12

ENDURING PERSECUTION

CHROMATIUS: Not only should we patiently endure all the horrible treacheries of the persecutors that can be contrived in a time of persecution for Christ’s name against the just, or the various reproaches that can be heaped upon us, or the punishments that can be applied to the body, but we should even welcome them with exultation because of the coming glory. For he says, “Rejoice in that day and exult; I tell you this, because your reward is great in heaven.” How glorious is the endurance of this persecution, the reward for which the Lord says is in heaven! And so, taking into account the reward of the proposed glory, we should be ready with devout faith for every endurance of suffering, so that we may be ready to be made partners in the prophets’ glory. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 17.9.2-3. [1]

[1] CCL 9a:277.

THE CONTEXT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

CHRYSOSTOM: Look then at the reward again: “for your reward is great in heaven.” And don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear the kingdom of heaven granted with every single Beatitude. For even if Jesus names the rewards differently, he still puts all of them in the kingdom of heaven. For in fact he says, “Those who mourn will be comforted, and those who show mercy will receive mercy, and those pure in heart will see God, and the peacemakers will be called sons of God.” In all these things the blessed One does nothing but hint at the kingdom of heaven. For people who enjoy these things will certainly reach the kingdom of heaven. So do not suppose that the reward of the kingdom of heaven belongs only to the poor in spirit. It also belongs to those who hunger for justice, and to the meek and to all these blessed others without exception. For he set his blessing upon all these things to keep you from expecting something belonging to this material world. For if one wore a prize or garland for things that are to be dissolved together with the present life, things that flit away faster than a shadow, would that one be blessed? THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 15.5. [1]

[1] PG 57:228; NPNF 1 10:95.

WEIGH EARTHLY DISTURBANCE AGAINST HEAVENLY GLORY

ANONYMOUS: Weigh earthly shame against heavenly glory, and see whether what you suffer on earth is not much lighter than what you expect in heaven. But perhaps you may say, “Who can be joyful when reviled? Who can not only endure being reviled but rejoice in it with a great soul?” The answer is, only one who does not delight in empty glory. One who desires what is in heaven does not fear reproaches on earth. He does not care about what people say about him but rather how God judges him. But one who rejoices in the praise of others and how much they praise him is saddened when he receives no praise. He feels sad at others’ reproaches. But a person who is not lifted up by others’ praise is not lowered by their reproach. Wherever any one seeks his own glory, just there he also fears reproach. A person who constantly seeks glory on earth constantly fears troubles on earth. But a person who seeks glory only with God fears no disturbance except for God’s judgment. A soldier endures the danger of war so long as he hopes for the spoils of victory. So how much more should you who are waiting for the reward of the heavenly kingdom have no fear of the world’s reproaches. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 9. [1]

SALT AND LIGHT MATTHEW 5:13-16

[1] PG 56:684.

OVERVIEW:

As salt preserves meat from decaying, so also do Christ’s disciples have a preservative effect (ORIGEN). The disciples must not lose their delightful taste (HILARY, CHROMATIUS). Those who have been educated for heavenly wisdom ought to remain steadfast so as not to be made tasteless by the devil’s treachery (CHROMATIUS). They are called to restore to the whole created order its original succulence, which has degenerated into rottenness (CHRYSOSTOM). Jesus calls salt the frame of mind that is filled with the apostolic word. When it has been sowed in our souls, it allows the word of wisdom to dwell in us (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). It is only as they become salt, penetrating the taste and texture of the world, that they refract God’s illumination of the world through the light of his Truth (CHRYSOSTOM). Jesus’ disciples are called the light of the world because they are illumined by One who is the true and eternal light (CHROMATIUS, CHRYSOSTOM). The worldly are less like lamps than buckets (THEODORE of MOPSUESTIA), lacking in God, empty from above but full from below (CHRYSOSTOM). The leader of the church should be equipped with the widest range of virtues (ANONYMOUS).