THE WORKS OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Volume VII

Book 2

COMMENTARY ON ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST

DISCOURSE FORTY-FIVE. Explanation 13:10-23. The Prudence of the Disciples. - Grace does not destroy freedom. - The Jews themselves were the reason that they did not understand the teaching of Christ. - Christ wanted their conversion and salvation. - Sin is not a matter of nature or necessity. - A variety of ways of salvation. - Exhortation to alms and compassion for the poor.

DISCOURSE FORTY-SIX. Explanation 13:24-33. The difference between the parable and the previous one. - The devil gives error a semblance of truth. - The need for constant wakefulness. - You must not kill heretics; it is not forbidden to curb them. The Effect and Power of the Apostolic Preaching. - It was not miracles, but virtues that made the apostles and other saints great. - The grace of miracles is both attracted by a virtuous life, and is given for the correction of others. - What is a truly good life?

DISCOURSE FORTY-SEVEN. Explanation 13:34-52. Why did Christ teach in parables? - It should not be understood by a parable literally. - The importance and value of preaching. - Renunciation of all worldly things is not a loss, but a gain. - Faith alone is not enough for salvation. - The harm of negligence about reading the Scriptures. - The Head and Members of Virtue. -Ev. Matthew, as an example of virtue. - Without alms, salvation is impossible. - The superiority of the soul of the arbitrarily poor over the soul of the rich.

DISCOURSE FORTY-EIGHT. Explanation 13:53 - 14:11. The ignorance of Christ's origin should have caused greater surprise at His teaching. - Why did Christ perform few miracles in His homeland? Herod's opinion of Christ. - The Crime of Herodias and Herod. - What was the law broken by Herod. - The harm of dancing and feasting. - The suffering inflicted on the righteous increases his reward. - Debauchery is the cause of many crimes. - Sin is covered not by the addition of sin, but by repentance. - One should not ridicule, but cover up the sins of one's neighbors. - The criminality of feasts arranged for parasites. - It is necessary to correct parasites, using them to serve good deeds.

DISCOURSE FORTY-NINE. Explanation 14:13-32. Why does Christ, after the news of John's death, retire into the wilderness? - The people's attachment to Christ. - The imperfection of the faith of the disciples. - Why did Christ perform some miracles by His own authority, others in the name of the Father? - The multiplication of the loaves testifies that Christ is the Creator of all visible things. - The method of performing a miracle and its purpose. "One should not seek human glory. - Spiritual goods should be preferred to sensual ones. "Mercy is more excellent than all the arts. - Every art is worthy of its name, as long as it serves to satisfy what is necessary. - Against luxury in shoes and clothing.

DISCOURSE FIFTIETH. Explanation 14:23-36. Why does Christ allow His disciples to be overwhelmed by waves and fear? - God sends a powerful test when He wants to deliver from dangers. - The power of Peter's love for Christ; his lack of faith. - The effect of the miracle on the disciples and the people. - Christ even now offers Himself to all in the Eucharist. - The Eucharist is no different from the supper celebrated by Christ Himself. - The Eucharist requires perfect purity from the one who approaches it. - Alms are more pleasing to God than rich offerings to the temple.

DISCOURSE FIFTY-ONE. Explanation 15:1-20. The Jewish priests were guilty of introducing new ordinances and of preferring them to the commandments of God. - Why Christ's disciples ate with unwashed hands. - The Pharisees taught under the guise of piety to despise the commandments of the law. - Christ rejects the decrees about food and, covertly, all other ceremonial precepts. - Christ does not blame the law. - A person is defiled by the impurity of the heart. - One should approach prayer with pure lips and a heart free from anger. - One should not pray against enemies. - The offender harms only himself.

DISCOURSE FIFTY-TWO. Explanation 15:21-31. Christ opens the door to the Gentiles. - The power of faith and humility of the Canaanite woman. - Why did Christ delay in fulfilling her request? - Alms are valued not by the amount of what is given, but by the strength of the disposition. - The superiority of alms over all other arts. - The inclination to mercy is in nature itself. - Mercy is a distinctive feature of a person. - A predator cannot receive the fruit of almsgiving.

DISCOURSE FIFTY-THREE. Explanation 15:32 - 16:12. The certainty of miraculous satiety. - The imperfection of the faith of the disciples. - Their wisdom. - Why did Christ not give a sign to the Jews who asked? - The seemingly small miracles of Christ surpassed the great ones in their power. "Severity can be as useful as leniency. - Real life is a change of joys and sorrows. - Nothing gives greater joy than virtue. - The memory of good deeds serves as a great consolation at the hour of death.