Homilies on the Gospel of John — Homily 71

A grievous thing, beloved, a grievous thing it is to come to the depths of wickedness; for then the soul becomes hard to restore. Therefore we should use every effort not to be caught at all, since it is easier not to fall in than, having fallen, to recover oneself. Observe, for instance, when Judas had thrown himself into sin, how great assistance he received, yet not even so was he lifted up. Christ said to him, One of you is a devil John 6:71; He said, Not all believe John 6:65; He said, I speak not of all, and, I know whom I have chosen John 13:18; and not one of these sayings does he feel. Now when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and sat down, He said, Know ye what I have done unto you? He no longer addresses Himself to Peter only, but to them all.

1. A grievous thing, beloved, a grievous thing it is to come to the depths of wickedness; for then the soul becomes hard to be restored. Wherefore we should use every exertion not to be taken at all; since it is easier not to fall in, than having fallen to recover one's self. Observe, for instance, when Judas had thrown himself into sin, how great assistance he enjoyed, yet not even so was he raised. Christ said to him, One of you is a devil John 6:71; He said, Not all believe John 6:65; He said, I speak not of all, and, I know whom I have chosen John 13:18; and not one of these sayings does he feel. Now when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and sat down, He said, Know ye what I have done unto you? He no longer addresses Himself to Peter only, but to them all.

You call Me. He accepts their judgment, and then so that the words may not be thought to be merely words of their kindness, He adds, for so I am. By introducing a saying of theirs, He makes it not offensive, and by confirming it Himself when introduced from them, He makes it unsuspected. For so I am, He says. Do you see how when He converses with the disciples, He speaks more openly about what belongs to Himself? Just as He says, Call no man master on earth, for One is your guide Matthew 23:8-9, so also, And call no man father upon earth. But the one and one is spoken not of the Father only, but of Himself also. For if He had spoken excluding Himself, how does He say, That you may become the children of the light? And again, if He called the Father only, Master, how does He say, For so I am; and again, For one is your Guide, even Christ? John 12:26

You call Me. He takes to Him their judgment, and then that the words may not be thought to be words of their kindness, He adds, for so I am. By introducing a saying of theirs, He makes it not offensive, and by confirming it Himself when introduced from them, unsuspected. For so I am, He says. Do you see how when He converses with the disciples, He speaks revealing more what belongs unto Himself? As He says, Call no man master on earth, for One is your guide Matthew 23:8-9, so also, And call no man father upon earth. But the one and one is spoken not of the Father only, but of Himself also. For had He spoken excluding Himself, how says He, That ye may become the children of the light? And again, if He called the Father only, Master, how says He, For so I am; and again, For one is your Guide, even Christ? John 12:26

And yet it is not the same thing, because He is Lord and Master, while you are fellow-servants of one another. What does "as" mean then? With the same zeal. He takes examples from greater actions so that we may at least perform the lesser ones. Teachers write letters very beautifully for children so they can imitate them, even if only in an inferior way. Where are those now who spit on their fellow-servants? Where are those who demand honors? Christ washed the feet of the traitor, the sacrilegious one, the thief, right before the betrayal, and though he was incurable, made him a guest at His table. And yet you are proud and look down on others? Someone says, "Let us wash one another's feet, then we must wash those of our household servants." But what great thing is it if we wash even the feet of our household servants? In our case, slave and free are just differences in words, but in that case it was actual reality. By nature He was Lord and we were servants, yet He did not refuse to do even this. But now we should be content if we don't treat free people like slaves, like people bought with money. And what will we say on that day if, after receiving examples of such humility, we don't imitate them at all but do the opposite, being lifted up and not paying our debt? For God has made us debtors to one another, having first done so Himself, and He has made us debtors of a smaller amount. For He was our Lord, but we do it, if we do it at all, to our fellow-servants—something He Himself indicated by saying, "If I then your Lord and Master—so also you." It would have naturally followed to say, "How much more should you servants," but He left this to the conscience of the hearers.

And yet it is not the same thing, for He is Lord and Master, but you are fellow-servants one of another. What means then the as? With the same zeal. For on this account He takes instances from greater actions that we may, if so be, perform the less. Thus schoolmasters write the letters for children very beautifully, that they may come to imitate them though but in an inferior manner. Where now are they who spit on their fellow-servants? Where now they who demand honors? Christ washed the feet of the traitor, the sacrilegious, the thief, and that close to the time of the betrayal, and incurable as he was, made him a partaker of His table; and are you highminded, and do you draw up your eyebrows? Let us then wash one another's feet, says some one, then we must wash those of our domestics. And what great thing if we do wash even those of our domestics? In our case slave and free is a difference of words; but there an actual reality. For by nature He was Lord and we servants, yet even this He refused not at this time to do. But now it is matter for contentment if we do not treat free men as bondmen, as slaves bought with money. And what shall we say in that day, if after receiving proofs of such forbearance, we ourselves do not imitate them at all, but take the contrary part, being in diametrical opposition, lifted up, and not discharging the debt? For God has made us debtors one to another, having first so done Himself, and has made us debtors of a less amount. For He was our Lord, but we do it, if we do it at all, to our fellow-servants, a thing which He Himself implied by saying, If I then your Lord and Master — so also do ye. It would indeed naturally have followed to say, How much more should ye servants, but He left this to the conscience of the hearers.

But why has He done this now? They were going to enjoy different levels of honor in the future, some greater, some less. So that they would not exalt themselves one above another and say as they did before, "Who is the greatest?" (Matthew 18:1), or be angry at one another, He humbles the proud thoughts of them all by saying that even if you become very great, you should not think highly of yourself compared to your brother. He did not mention the greater action—that if I washed the feet of the traitor, how much more should you wash one another's?—but having demonstrated this through His deeds, He left it to the judgment of those watching. Therefore He said, "Whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great" (Matthew 5:19), for this is what teaching truly is: actually doing it. What pride should this not remove? What kind of foolishness and arrogance should it not destroy? He who sits upon the Cherubim washed the feet of the traitor, and yet you, O man—you who are earth and ashes and cinders and dust—do you exalt yourself and are you proud? And how great a hell would you not deserve? If you desire a lofty state of mind, come, I will show you the way to it, for you do not even know what it is. The person who regards present things as great has a small soul, so that there can be neither humility without greatness of soul, nor pride except from smallness of soul. For just as little children are eager for trifles, gaping at balls and hoops and dice, but cannot even form an idea of important matters, so in this case, one who is truly wise will regard present things as nothing (so that he will neither choose to acquire them himself nor to receive them from others), but he who is not of such a character will be affected in the opposite way, focused on cobwebs and shadows and dreams of things less substantial than these.

2. But why has He done this now? They were for the future to enjoy, some greater, some less honor. In order then that they may not exalt themselves one above the other, and say as they did before, Who is the greatest Matthew 18:1, nor be angry one against the other, He takes down the high thoughts of them all, by saying, that although you may be very great, you ought to have no high thoughts towards your brother. And He mentioned not the greater action, that if I have washed the feet of the traitor, what great matter if you one another's? but having exemplified this by deeds, He then left it to the judgment of the spectators. Therefore He said, Whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great Matthew 5:19; for this is to teach a thing, actually to do it. What pride should not this remove? What kind of folly and insolence should it not annihilate! He who sits upon the Cherubim washed the feet of the traitor, and do you, O man, you that are earth and ashes and cinders and dust, do you exalt yourself, and are you highminded? And how great a hell would you not deserve? If then you desire a high state of mind, come, I will show you the way to it; for thou dost not even know what it is. The man then who gives heed to the present things as being great, is of a mean soul; so that there can neither be humility without greatness of soul, nor conceit except from littleness of soul. For as little children are eager for trifles, gaping upon balls and hoops and dice, but cannot even form an idea of important matters; so in this case, one who is truly wise, will deem present things as nothing, (so that he will neither choose to acquire them himself, nor to receive them from others;) but he who is not of such a character will be affected in a contrary way, intent upon cobwebs and shadows and dreams of things less substantial than these.

What He said before, He says here also, to shame them. For if the servant is not greater than his master, nor the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him, and these things have been done by Me, much more ought they to be done by you. Then, lest anyone should say, "Why do You say these things? Don't we already know them?" He adds this very thing: I speak not to you as if you did not know, but so that you may show forth by your actions the things spoken of. For knowing belongs to all, but doing does not belong to all. For this reason He said, "Blessed are you if you do them," and for this reason I continually and always say the same things to you, although you know them, so that I may set you to the work. Since even the Jews know, but yet they are not blessed, for they do not do what they know.

What He said before, this He says here also, to shame them; For if the servant is not greater than his master, nor he that is sent greater than him that sent him, and these things have been done by Me, much more ought they to be done by you. Then, lest any one should say, Why now do You say these things? Do we not already know them? He adds this very thing, I speak not to you as not knowing, but that by your actions ye may show forth the things spoken of. For to know, belongs to all; but to do, not to all. On this account He said, Blessed are you if you do them; and on this account I continually and ever say the same to you, although ye know it, that I may set you on the work. Since even Jews know, but yet they are not blessed; for they do not what they know.

I am not speaking about all of you, He says. What remarkable patience! He still does not openly expose the traitor, but keeps the matter veiled, thus giving him opportunity to repent. He exposes him and yet does not expose him when He says, He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me. It seems to me that the statement, The servant is not greater than his lord, was spoken for this purpose as well: that if any people should ever suffer harm either from household members or from anyone of lower status, they should not take offense, remembering the example of Judas, who after receiving countless good things, repaid his Benefactor with the opposite. For this reason He added, He who eats bread with Me, and passing over everything else, He mentioned what was most likely to restrain and shame him—he who was fed by Me, He says, and who shared My table. And He spoke these words to teach them to do good to those who wronged them, even if such people should remain incurable.

I speak not, He says, of you all. O what forbearance! Not yet does He convict the traitor, but veils the matter, hence giving him room for repentance. He convicts and yet does not convict him when He says thus, He that eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me. It seems to me that the, The servant is not greater than his lord, was uttered for this purpose also, that if any persons should at any time suffer harm either from domestics or from any of the meaner sort, they should not be offended; looking to the instance of Judas, who having enjoyed ten thousand good things, repaid his Benefactor with the contrary. On this account He added, He that eats bread with Me, and letting pass all the rest, He has put that which was most fitted to restrain and shame him; he who was fed by Me, He says, and who shared My table. And He spoke the words, to instruct them to benefit those who did evil to them, even though such persons should continue incurable.

But having said, I speak not of you all, in order not to make more than one person afraid, He finally singles out the traitor, speaking this way: He that eats bread with Me. For the phrase "not of you all" does not point to any one particular person, so He added, He that eats bread with Me, showing that wretched man that He was not being seized out of ignorance, but with full knowledge—something which was itself most capable of holding him back. And He did not say "betrays Me," but rather has lifted up his heel against Me, wanting to show the deceit, the treachery, and the secrecy of the plot.

But having said, I speak not of you all, in order not to attach fear to more than one, He at last separates the traitor, speaking thus; He that eats bread with Me. For the, not of you all, does not direct the words to any single one, therefore He added, He that eats bread with Me; showing to that wretched one that He was not seized in ignorance, but even with full knowledge; a thing which of itself was most of all fitted to restrain him. And He said not, betrays Me, but, has lifted up his heel against Me, desiring to represent the deceit, the treachery, the secrecy of the plot.

These things are written so that we do not bear malice toward those who injure us, but rebuke them and weep for them. Those who should be wept for are not the ones who suffer, but those who do the wrong. The grasping person, the false accuser, and whoever does any other evil thing do themselves the greatest injury and us the greatest good, if we do not avenge ourselves. Here is an example: someone has robbed you. Have you given thanks for the injury and glorified God? By that thanksgiving you have gained ten thousand rewards, just as he has gathered for himself unspeakable fire. But if someone says, "How then, if I could not defend myself against the one who wronged me, being weaker?" I would say that you could have acted by being discontented, being impatient (for these things are in our power), praying against the one who grieved you, uttering ten thousand curses against him, speaking ill of him to everyone. Therefore, the person who has not done these things will even be rewarded for not defending himself, since it is clear that even if he had had the power, he would not have done it. The injured person uses any weapon that comes to hand when, being small of soul, he defends himself against one who has injured him by curses, by abuse, by plotting. Do not only refrain from doing these things, but even pray for him. For if you do not do them, but will even pray for him, you have become like God. For it says, pray for those who despitefully use you—that you may be like your Father who is in Heaven. Do you see how we are the greatest gainers from the insolence of others? Nothing so delights God as not returning evil for evil. But what am I saying? Not returning evil for evil? Surely we are commanded to return the opposite: benefits, prayers. Therefore Christ also repaid the one who was about to betray Him with everything opposite. He washed his feet, convicted him secretly, rebuked him sparingly, cared for him, allowed him to share His table and His kiss, and not even by these things was he made better. Nevertheless, Christ continued doing His own part.

3. These things are written that we bear not malice towards those who injure us; but rebuke them and weep for them; for the fit subjects of weeping are not they who suffer, but they who do the wrong. The grasping man, the false accuser, and whoever works any other evil thing, do themselves the greatest injury, and us the greatest good, if we do not avenge ourselves. Such a case as this: some one has robbed you; have you given thanks for the injury, and glorified God? By that thanksgiving you have gained ten thousand rewards, just as he has gathered for himself fire unspeakable. But if any one say, How then, if I 'could' not defend myself against him who wronged me, being weaker? I would say this, that you could have put into action the being discontented, the being impatient, (for these things are in our power,) the praying against him, who grieved you, the uttering ten thousand curses against him, the speaking ill of him to every one. He therefore who has not done these things shall even be rewarded for not defending himself, since it is clear that even if he had had the power, he would not have done it. The injured man uses any weapon that comes to hand, when, being little of soul, he defends himself against one who has injured him, by curses, by abuse, by plotting. Do thou then not only not do these things, but even pray for him; for if you do them not, but will even pray for him, you have become like God. For, pray, it says, for them, that despitefully use you — that you may be like your Father which is in Heaven. Matthew 5:44-45 Do you see how we are the greatest gainers from the insolence of others? Nothing so delights God, as the not returning evil for evil? But what say I? Not returning evil for evil? Surely we are enjoined to return the opposite, benefits, prayers. Wherefore Christ also repaid him who was about to betray Him with everything opposite. He washed his feet, convicted him secretly, rebuked him sparingly, tended him, allowed him to share His table and His kiss, and not even by these was he made better; nevertheless (Christ) continued doing His own part.

But come, let us teach you even from the example of servants, and (to make the lesson stronger) those in the Old Testament, so that you may know we have no grounds for defense when we remember a wrong. Do you want me to tell you about Moses, or should we go even further back? The more ancient the examples we can point out, the more we are surpassed. Why is this? Because virtue was then more difficult. Those men had no written instructions, no examples of holy living, but their nature fought by itself, unarmed, and was forced to drift in all directions without ballast. This is why when God praised Noah, he did not simply call him perfect, but added "in his generation" (Genesis 7:1), indicating that at that time, when there were many obstacles—since many others shone after him—he would have nothing less than they had; for in his own time he was perfect. Who then before Moses was patient? The blessed and noble Joseph, who having shone by his chastity, shone no less by his long-suffering. He was sold when he had done no wrong, but was waiting on others, serving, and performing all the duties of household servants. They brought an evil accusation against him, and he did not defend himself, though he had his father on his side. In fact, he even went to carry food to them in the desert, and when he did not find them, he did not despair or turn back (though he had an excuse for doing so if he had chosen), but remained near the wild beasts and those savage men, preserving the feelings of a true brother. Again, when he lived in the prison, and was asked the reason, he spoke no evil of them, but only said, "I have done nothing," and "I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews." And after this again, when he was made lord, he nourished them and delivered them from countless dangers. If we are sober-minded, the wickedness of our neighbor is not strong enough to cast us out of our own virtue. But those others were not like him; they both stripped him and tried to kill him and reproached him for his dream, though they had even received their food from him, and they planned to deprive him of life and liberty. And they ate and cared nothing for their brother lying naked in the pit. What could be worse than such brutality? Were they not worse than any number of murderers? And after this, having drawn him up, they handed him over to countless deaths, selling him to barbarian and savage men who were traveling to barbarians. Yet he, when he became ruler, not only released them from punishment but even acquitted them, at least as far as he himself was concerned, of their sin, calling what had happened a plan of God, not any wickedness of theirs. And the things he did against them he did not do as one remembering evil, but in all these things he pretended, for his brother's sake. After this, when he saw them clinging to him, he immediately threw off the disguise and wept aloud and embraced them, as though he had received the greatest benefits—he who had formerly been destroyed by them. And he brought them all down into Egypt and repaid them with countless benefits. What excuse then shall we have, if after the Law, and after grace, and after the addition of so much heavenly wisdom, we do not even try to rival him who lived before grace and before the Law? Who shall deliver us from punishment? For there is nothing, nothing more grievous than the remembrance of injuries. And this the man showed who owed ten thousand talents; from whom payment was at one time not demanded, at another time demanded again—not demanded because of the loving-kindness of God, but demanded because of his own wickedness and because of his malice toward his fellow-servant. Knowing all these things, let us forgive our neighbors their trespasses and repay them by deeds of the opposite kind, so that we too may obtain mercy from God, through the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

But come, let us teach you even from the example of servants, and (to make the lesson stronger) those in the Old (Testament), that you may know that we have no ground of defense when we remember a wrong. Will you then that I tell you of Moses, or shall we go yet farther back? For the more ancient the instances that can be pointed out, the more are we surpassed. Why so? Because virtue was then more difficult. Those men had no written precepts, no patterns of living, but their nature fought, unarmed, by itself, and was forced to float in all directions unballasted. Wherefore also when praising Noah, God called him not simply perfect, but added, in his generation Genesis 7:1; signifying, at that time, when there were many hindrances, since many others shone after him, yet will he have nothing less than they; for in his own time he was perfect. Who then before Moses was patient? The blessed and noble Joseph, who having shone by his chastity, shone no less by his long suffering. He was sold when he had done no wrong, but was waiting on others, and serving, and performing all the duties of domestics. They brought against him an evil accusation, and he did not defend himself, though he had his father on his side. Nay, he even went to carry food to them in the desert, and when he found them not, he did not despair or turn back, (yet he had an excuse for doing so had he chosen,) but remained near the wild beasts and those savage men, preserving the feeling of a true brother. Again, when he dwelt in the prison house, and was asked the cause, he spoke no evil of them, but only, I have done nothing, and, I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews; and after this again, when he was made lord, he nourished them, and delivered them from ten thousand dangers. If we be sober, the wickedness of our neighbor is not strong enough to cast us out of our own virtue. But those others were not like him; they both stripped him, and endeavored to kill him, and reproach him with his dream, though they had even received their meat from him, and planned to deprive him of life and of liberty. And they ate, and cared not for their brother lying naked in the pit. What could be worse than such brutality? Were they not worse than any number of murderers? And after this, having drawn him up, they gave him over to ten thousand deaths, selling him to barbarian and savage men, who were on their journey to barbarians. Yet he, when he became ruler, not only remitted them their punishment, but even acquitted them, as far at least as relating to himself, of their sin, calling what had been done a dispensation of God, not any wickedness of theirs; and the things which he did against them he did not as remembering evil, but in all these he dissembled, for his brother's sake. After this, when he saw them clinging to him, he straightway threw away the mask, and wept aloud, and embraced them, as though he had received the greatest benefits, he, who formerly was made away with by them, and he brought them all down into Egypt, and repaid them with ten thousand benefits. What excuse then shall we have, if after the Law, and after grace, and after the addition of so much heavenly wisdom, we do not even strive to rival him who lived before grace and before the Law? Who shall deliver us from punishment? For there is nothing, there is nothing more grievous than the remembrance of injuries. And this the man has showed that owed ten thousand talents; from whom payment was at one time not demanded, at another time again demanded; not demanded, because of the lovingkindness of God; but demanded, because of his own wickedness, and because of his malice toward his fellow-servant. Knowing all which things, let us forgive our neighbors their trespasses, and repay them by deeds of an opposite kind, that we too may obtain mercy from God, through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.