ACC ~ Matthew 6 v5

PRAY WITH THE ANGELS

CHRYSOSTOM: When you pray, it is as if you were entering into a palace—not a palace on earth, but far more awesome, a palace in heaven. When you enter there, you do so with complete attentiveness and fitting respect. For in the houses of kings all turmoil is set aside, and silence reigns. Yet here you are being joined by choirs of angels. You are in communion with archangels and singing with the seraphim, who sing with great awe their spiritual hymns and sacred songs to God, the Lord of all. So when you are praying, mingle with these voices, patterning yourself according to their mystical order. It is not to human beings that you are praying but to God, who is present everywhere, who hears even before you speak and who knows already the secrets of the heart. If you pray to this One, you shall receive a great reward. “For your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.” He did not merely say he would give it to you but reward you, as if he himself had made a pledge to you and so honored you with a great honor. Because God himself is hidden, your prayer should be hidden. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:277; NPNF 1 10:133**. The fitting approach to prayer is awe in the presence of God.

DEPARTING WITH EMPTY HANDS

CHRYSOSTOM: While pretending to pray to God, the hypocrites are looking around for human praise. The elaborate garb they wear is laughable, and hardly that of a sincere supplicant. One who is earnestly offering a supplication looks exclusively to the One who has the power to grant the request and lets all other claims recede. But if you leave behind the one you are petitioning and immediately go wandering about looking everywhere for others’ approval, you will depart with empty hands. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:276; NPNF 1 10:132**. The reward of hypocrites comes from those from whom they most want to receive it: not God but human auditors.

OPEN THE STOREHOUSE OF PRAYER

ANONYMOUS: Our talk is about prayer, which alone the soul offers to God from its depths. It is a kind of spiritual wealth. All acts of justice which a person does, that person does according to his capability and brings them forth from the store of his capacity. Prayer alone he speaks according to his faith and brings forth from the store of his faith. Do you want to know how precious prayer is? No act of outward justice is compared with incense: only prayer is. As is shown in the Revelation of John, the great angel proceeds before the visage of the altar, holding in his hand a censer of the fragrances of incense, and it is said to him, “These are the prayers of the holy ones.” [1] Just as well-blended incense delights the worshipful person, so the prayer of the just person is sweet before God. Do you wish to know its dignity? As soon as it issues from the mouth, the angels take it up in their hands and bring it before God, just as the archangel said to Tobias: “I am he who has brought your prayer before God.” [2] INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 13. [3]

[1] Rev 8:3; 5:8.

[2] Tob 12:12.

[3] PG 56:708-9.

THE HYPOCRITES HAVE RECEIVED THEIR REWARD

CHRYSOSTOM: Your inner will cannot be hid. This is why Jesus did not say, “They shall not receive a reward” but “They have received their reward”—already! Their reward comes from those from whom they themselves most desire to get it. God does not desire this. For God preferred to bestow upon humanity the grace that comes only from himself. Those who seek their reward from people cannot receive another reward from the One for whom they have sought nothing. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:276; NPNF 1 10:132**.

SELLING AND BUYING

ANONYMOUS: Wherever each one sows his seed, there he reaps; and what he sows, that too he reaps. The hypocrites pray on account of others, not on account of God. Thus they are praised by others, not God. Deceitfully they pray, and even then they are not really praying. Deceitfully they are praised, though they are not really praiseworthy. They sell an empty form of religion, and they buy an empty word of praise. Just as the prayer of these people does not please God, neither does the praise of others adorn them. For what is placed in a word lasts as long as the word is spoken; when the word has ended, the benefit that was placed in the word also has ended. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 13. [1]

[1] PG 56:709.

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