OUR Lord Jesus Christ, revealing His glory to the
Jewish multitudes, or rather to all those who have believed on Him, said;
"I am the light of the world:" and again, "I am come a light
into this world." For He fills the mind of those who fear Him with a divine
and intellectual light, that they may not wander from the right way by walking in
gloom and darkness; but may rather know how to advance uprightly in every good
work, and in whatsoever aids a man in leading a saintly life. He would have us
therefore to be good, and ready to communicate, loving one another, and
merciful, and adorned with the honors of charity. Most wisely therefore did He
prepare for us the present parable: which we being anxious to explain to the
best of our ability, of necessity speak as follows to those who love
instruction.
The sense therefore of the present parable is
something like the following: "The God of all wills that all men should be
saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth." For this reason, "He
also gave the law for a help," according to the expression of the prophet.
And the law in such passages we say means, not of course that which was
ministered by Moses, but rather the whole inspired Scripture, by means of which
we learn the path which leads straight unto every good and saving thing. The
Lord of all therefore requires us to be thoroughly constant in our exertions
after virtue, and to fix our desires upon the better and holy life, setting
ourselves free from the distractions of the world, and from all love of riches,
and of the pleasure which wealth brings, that we may serve Him continually, and
with undivided affections.
The Savior of all says to those who possess
worldly riches, "Sell your possessions, and give alms: make for you purses
that grow not old: a treasure forever, unfailing in heaven." Now the
commandment is indeed for our salvation, but the mind of man is very weak,
fixed constantly, so to speak, upon things which are of earth chiefly, and
unwilling to withdraw itself from the delight of riches.
Is there then no way of salvation for the rich,
and no means of making them partakers of the hope of the saints? Have they
fallen completely from God's grace? Is hell and the fire necessarily prepared
for them, such as is the fitting lot of the devil and his angels? Not so: for
lo! the Savior has shown them a means of salvation in the present parable. They
have been entrusted with worldly wealth by the merciful permission of Almighty
God: according nevertheless to His intention, they have been appointed stewards
for the poor. But they discharge not their stewardship rightly, in that they
scatter, so to speak, what has been given them of the Lord: for they waste it
solely on their pleasures, and purchase temporal honors, not remembering God,
Who says, "You shall open wide your mercy unto your brother, even to him
that has need of you."
What therefore would Christ have them to do? It
is, that while they are yet in this world, if they are unwilling to divide all
their wealth among the poor, that at least they should gain friends by a part
of it; and numerous witnesses to their charitableness, even those who have
received well at their hands: that when their earthly wealth fails them, they
may gain a place in their tabernacles. For it is impossible for love to the
poor ever to remain unrewarded. Whether therefore a man give away all his
wealth, or but a part, he will certainly benefit his soul. It is an act
therefore that becomes the saints, and is worthy of perfect praises, and that
wins the crowns above, to set no store by earthly wealth, but distributing it
among those that are in need, to gather rather that which is in heaven, and
obtain purses that grow not old, and possess a treasure that fails not.
It is our duty therefore, if we are right-minded;
if we fix the eye of the mind on what will be hereafter; if we remember the sacred Scripture, which says plainly,
"that we shall all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive retribution for the things done by means of the body,
according to that he has done, whether good or bad;" if we fear the cruel
and unappeasable flame; to remember God, Who requires us to show mercy upon the
brethren, to suffer with those that are sick, to open our hand wide to those
that are in need, and to honor the saints, of whom Christ says, "He that
receives you receives Me: and he that receives Me, receives Him That sent
Me."
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