Chrysostom
Beloved of All
What then? Do you ask the Lord of mercy to become an avenger for you? Do you not hear Him saying, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you"? But you call down wrath upon these hackers, and demand that God repay them according to their works. Yet consider: if strict justice were executed, would any of us stand? For if Cain, who murdered one brother, suffered such terror that he cried out that all would slay him, what then shall we say of ourselves, who wound our spiritual brethren daily with neglect and envy and harsh words? The Lord withholds punishment now precisely because this is the time for repentance, not judgment.
You look upon the harm these evildoers cause and burn with righteous indignation. But examine your own heart. Has no one ever suffered loss through your negligence or your sharp tongue? When you pray for vengeance, do you not place yourself under the same measure? For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And think: what does it profit you to have your enemy thrown down, if your own soul becomes darkened by malice? The devil rejoices when he sees a servant of Christ demanding an eye for an eye, for then he has gained two souls instead of one.
Rather, let us imitate the blessed Paul, who said, "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance." Pray for these hackers that they may come to godly sorrow, that their skills might one day be used for good rather than destruction. Is not that a far greater victory? If they are punished by eternal fire, what gain comes to you? But if they repent, you have gained brothers and adorned yourself with the crown of mercy.
Lay aside this passion, I beseech you, and put on the mind of Christ. The Lord sees all and will render to every man according to his deeds in His own time, whether in this life as a warning or in the life to come most terribly. But your task now is to keep your own soul unspotted from wrath, to leave vengeance to God, and to show kindness even to the ungrateful. Let us write this virtue upon our hearts step by step: first to refrain from cursing, then to withhold the desire for revenge, and at last even to pray for those who wrong us. For what excellence can we claim if we love only those who love us? Do not the tax collectors the same?
Therefore, go now and pray not for their destruction, but that God would touch their consciences, that they may see the misery they cause, and that you may be healed of this bitterness. For if you would be a child of your Father in heaven, you must seek to be perfect as He is perfect, who makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. This is the narrow way that leads to life; walk in it, and you shall find rest for your soul.
You look upon the harm these evildoers cause and burn with righteous indignation. But examine your own heart. Has no one ever suffered loss through your negligence or your sharp tongue? When you pray for vengeance, do you not place yourself under the same measure? For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And think: what does it profit you to have your enemy thrown down, if your own soul becomes darkened by malice? The devil rejoices when he sees a servant of Christ demanding an eye for an eye, for then he has gained two souls instead of one.
Rather, let us imitate the blessed Paul, who said, "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance." Pray for these hackers that they may come to godly sorrow, that their skills might one day be used for good rather than destruction. Is not that a far greater victory? If they are punished by eternal fire, what gain comes to you? But if they repent, you have gained brothers and adorned yourself with the crown of mercy.
Lay aside this passion, I beseech you, and put on the mind of Christ. The Lord sees all and will render to every man according to his deeds in His own time, whether in this life as a warning or in the life to come most terribly. But your task now is to keep your own soul unspotted from wrath, to leave vengeance to God, and to show kindness even to the ungrateful. Let us write this virtue upon our hearts step by step: first to refrain from cursing, then to withhold the desire for revenge, and at last even to pray for those who wrong us. For what excellence can we claim if we love only those who love us? Do not the tax collectors the same?
Therefore, go now and pray not for their destruction, but that God would touch their consciences, that they may see the misery they cause, and that you may be healed of this bitterness. For if you would be a child of your Father in heaven, you must seek to be perfect as He is perfect, who makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. This is the narrow way that leads to life; walk in it, and you shall find rest for your soul.
