ACC ~ Matthew 5 v25

DO NOT IGNORE CONSCIENCE

ORIGEN: In this life, this way traveled by all, you do well to accept and not ignore the suggestions of the conscience. But if you are inconsiderate and negligent in this life, conscience itself, assuming the role of a prosecutor, will accuse you before the judge. Conscience will subject to the juryman’s decision, and you will be handed over to incurable punishments. Such things you would not have suffered, if along the way you had in fact acquired goodwill toward your accuser, accepting his reproaches as offered out of goodwill. For this also the divine Evangelist John says in his letter: “If our conscience does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” [1] FRAGMENT 102. [2]

[1] 1 Jn 3:21.

[2] GCS 41.1:58.

MAKE FRIENDS QUICKLY

CHRYSOSTOM: Having mentioned first the judgment, then the council, then hell, and having spoken of his own sacrifice, Jesus then adds, “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court.” That is, don’t be saying, “What if I am the injured party? What if I have been plundered and dragged before the tribunal?” Even this kind of circumstance fails to qualify as an excuse or occasion for refusing to be reconciled. Jesus commands us even in these circumstances not to be at enmity with others. Then, since this command was so significant, he illustrates his counsel with examples drawn from daily affairs. Less intelligent people, after all, are more apt to respond to present realities than future ones. “What is that you are saying?” he asks. “So your adversary is stronger and has wronged you? He will wrong you even more if you don’t make it right and he ends up taking you to court. In the former case, by giving up some money, you keep yourself free. Once a judge has passed sentence, however, you will be thrown in jail and pay a stiff fine. If you stay out of court, you will reap two benefits.First, you won’t have to suffer anything painful. Second, the good you end up doing will be your own doing and not something you have been forced to do. But if you refuse to be convinced by these words, you are wronging yourself more than your opponent.” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 16.10. [1]

[1] PG 57:252; NPNF 1 10:113**. Be ready for final judgment by settling unreconciled disputes here and now.

THE HOLY SPIRIT ACCUSES

CHROMATIUS: Others, who seem to have a more complete explanation, believe that the opponent here must be understood as the Holy Spirit, who opposes the vices and desires of the flesh. As the apostle points out,“The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you would.” [1]

The Spirit indeed desires heavenly things; the flesh lusts after earthly things. The Spirit rejoices over spiritual gifts; the flesh is attracted to bodily vices. Concerning this the apostle says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you have been sealed for the day of redemption.” [2] Therefore, the Lord instructs us to listen to this adversary of sin and human error, upholding those things that are righteous and holy. We should obey him in all things while we are with him on the way, in the caravan of this present life. By doing so we will have peace and perpetual fellowship with him. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 22.3.1-2. [3]

[1] Gal 5:17.

[2] Eph 4:30.

[3] CCL 9a:301.

DO NOT WAIT TO MAKE PEACE

ANONYMOUS: The Lord makes haste, that we may hasten to make friends with our enemies as long as we live in this life. This life common to all people is a casual life, through which both the good and the wicked pass. God knows the danger if either enemy should die before peace is made. Even if they wanted to make peace, they are unable to, since they have been separated by death. But if in the course of this life you do not make peace with your opponent whom you have offended and you should both die and go before Christ the judge, he will deliver you up to Christ, accusing you of guilt in his court, and the judge will hand you over to the guard (the angel of cruel punishments), and the latter will send you to the prison of hell. But if you had made peace in this world, you could have obtained pardon of the most serious act, as is written: “Charity covers a multitude of sins.” [1] Once you have been convicted and put in prison, punishment will be exacted from you not only for your serious sins but also for the idle words you spoke. For instance, if you said “Raca” to someone, your opponent will hand you over to the judge, even if he was the first one to apologize. As Solomon says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat … for you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [2] What does it mean to “heap coals of fire” if not to make him more accountable to God? If someone does good to his enemy, therefore, he will make him more culpable before God. Hence he who is the first to apologize to his enemy makes him guilty before God. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 11. [3]

[1] 1 Pet 4:8.

[2] Prov 25:21-22; Rom 12:20.

[3] 37.