Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You pour out many petitions, and this is good, for the soul that clings earnestly to the Master will not cease asking. Yet consider how He heals. Sometimes by a word only, sometimes He stretches forth His hand, and sometimes He does both, to bring into sight His way of healing. It was not His will always to work miracles in the more surpassing manner, being needful for Him to be concealed awhile. So if the healing seems delayed, or comes not in the manner you expect, do not grieve. The disciples knew He was to die, yet they understood not what this death might be, nor the speedy release and innumerable blessings it would work. They grieved because they clung earnestly to Him. He lays His hand upon them, saying, “According to your faith be it unto you.” This He does to confirm faith and show that they are participators in the good work. So let your faith cry out before the healing of the body, that He may first proclaim the faith in the soul.
You ask for wisdom, rapport, favor in meetings, and that your work may reflect His Agape Love. Know then what true hospitality is. The stranger requires much attendance, much encouragement, and with all this it is difficult for him not to feel abashed. That shame we remove by the most attentive service, showing by words and actions that we do not think we are conferring a favor, but receiving one. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” You are rather indebted to the poor man for receiving your kindness. If there were no poor, the greater part of your sins would not be removed. They are the healers of your wounds. Thus you receive more than you give. Go then to those patients, those grieving families, that new acquaintance, not as one bringing sufficiency of your own, but as one who has freely received. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” You bestow no favor on them that receive you. The grace is His. No price is worthy of it. This thought alone quells pride and clears away the spirit of covetousness or self-seeking. It prevents that secret thought that you are doing them a service, which would destroy the merit of the work.
You pray for broken relationships, for your children to see themselves as He sees them, and that doors of harm be closed. How many, who have heard ten times and remained insensible, have afterwards at one hearing been converted! Or rather, not at one hearing. For though they seemed insensible at the ten discourses, yet they gained something, and afterwards showed all at once abundant fruit. As a tree may receive ten strokes and not fall, then be brought down by a single blow, yet it is not by that one blow, but by the ten which made that last successful. So it is with the soul. Do not despair over hearts that seem unmoved or relationships that appear incurable. His malady was incurable by human measure, yet He saith, “Stretch forth thine hand,” and it was restored whole. Continue lifting them. That eager desire, that love of hearing His promises, cannot fail of its effect. God forbid.
And as you ask protection and deliverance from evil, remember that He needeth not your ministry and service. He led you not about with Him for this. When many went back and walked no more with Him, He did not flatter nor repulse them, but asked, “Will ye also go away?” This was not to despise them, but to remove all force and compulsion, wishing them attached not through shame but with a sense of favor. So He asks you: Will ye trust the hedge of His protection, not because you have made an adequate plea, but because He is good? Your adequacy, as you rightly said, is from God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as having come from ourselves. Remain, then, not on terms of constraint, but of love.
You ask for wisdom, rapport, favor in meetings, and that your work may reflect His Agape Love. Know then what true hospitality is. The stranger requires much attendance, much encouragement, and with all this it is difficult for him not to feel abashed. That shame we remove by the most attentive service, showing by words and actions that we do not think we are conferring a favor, but receiving one. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” You are rather indebted to the poor man for receiving your kindness. If there were no poor, the greater part of your sins would not be removed. They are the healers of your wounds. Thus you receive more than you give. Go then to those patients, those grieving families, that new acquaintance, not as one bringing sufficiency of your own, but as one who has freely received. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” You bestow no favor on them that receive you. The grace is His. No price is worthy of it. This thought alone quells pride and clears away the spirit of covetousness or self-seeking. It prevents that secret thought that you are doing them a service, which would destroy the merit of the work.
You pray for broken relationships, for your children to see themselves as He sees them, and that doors of harm be closed. How many, who have heard ten times and remained insensible, have afterwards at one hearing been converted! Or rather, not at one hearing. For though they seemed insensible at the ten discourses, yet they gained something, and afterwards showed all at once abundant fruit. As a tree may receive ten strokes and not fall, then be brought down by a single blow, yet it is not by that one blow, but by the ten which made that last successful. So it is with the soul. Do not despair over hearts that seem unmoved or relationships that appear incurable. His malady was incurable by human measure, yet He saith, “Stretch forth thine hand,” and it was restored whole. Continue lifting them. That eager desire, that love of hearing His promises, cannot fail of its effect. God forbid.
And as you ask protection and deliverance from evil, remember that He needeth not your ministry and service. He led you not about with Him for this. When many went back and walked no more with Him, He did not flatter nor repulse them, but asked, “Will ye also go away?” This was not to despise them, but to remove all force and compulsion, wishing them attached not through shame but with a sense of favor. So He asks you: Will ye trust the hedge of His protection, not because you have made an adequate plea, but because He is good? Your adequacy, as you rightly said, is from God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as having come from ourselves. Remain, then, not on terms of constraint, but of love.
