Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You desire a wise and understanding heart, and you ask for healing of your teeth and body. This is good, but consider well: those who bite not with the teeth would that they did, for the teeth of covetousness are fiercer far. “For their teeth are weapons and darts.” Which is more grievous: to be bitten once and straightway healed, or to be forever eaten up by the teeth of involuntary penury? The pain of the body passes, but the soul's wounds destroy. Seek first the wisdom that is from above, for “the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” God admitted the uneducated, showing that all men need the wisdom that comes from Him. Christ “was made unto us wisdom.” True wisdom is not of this world or its rulers, which are coming to nothing; we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, hidden, foreordained for our glory. Walk with the wise One, and you become wise indeed.
The woman at the well showed great wisdom: she neither declared the fact plainly nor was she silent, but said, “Come, see.” She paraded her life, knowing that those who taste that Well would be drawn. So you too, pour out your whole soul before Him; hold nothing back. That which seems a reproof will become your healing. When the disciples seemed to be doing wrong, they interceded. How much more will He hear your cry? Do not despair if your bodily affliction lingers. “How many, who have heard ten times and remained insensible, have afterwards at one hearing been converted!” The tree falls not by the last stroke alone, but by all that came before. Patiently continue, and fruit will spring up. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The woman at the well showed great wisdom: she neither declared the fact plainly nor was she silent, but said, “Come, see.” She paraded her life, knowing that those who taste that Well would be drawn. So you too, pour out your whole soul before Him; hold nothing back. That which seems a reproof will become your healing. When the disciples seemed to be doing wrong, they interceded. How much more will He hear your cry? Do not despair if your bodily affliction lingers. “How many, who have heard ten times and remained insensible, have afterwards at one hearing been converted!” The tree falls not by the last stroke alone, but by all that came before. Patiently continue, and fruit will spring up. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
