September: Day 2: Teaching 2:
St. John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople
(How Should a Christian Relate to Earthly Goods?)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
(How Should a Christian Relate to Earthly Goods?)
By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko
I. Saint John, whose memory is now celebrated, called the Faster for his great abstinence, was the son of poor parents who wanted to make him an artisan. But even from his youth John felt a strong attraction to the ascetic life, settled with the pious monk Eusebius, and he by his example strengthened this attraction in John even more. The Patriarch of Constantinople Eutychios, having learned of John's strict life, ordained him deacon; and after the death of Eutychios, John was chosen to take his place in 582, and at first declined this rank, yielding only to the intense requests of the Constantinople clergy. Occupying this see from 582 to 585, John the Faster acquired the general respect and love of the Constantinople flock by his generosity and compassion for the poor, to whom he gave all that he had. The Lord glorified the saint with the gift of miracles: through his prayers a strong storm at sea was pacified, a blind man was healed, and many other miracles occurred. Saint John the Faster died in 595, leaving behind only a wooden bed, a linen shirt, and a worn-out robe: such was his attitude toward earthly goods.
II. Brethren! How often, because of and among the goods of the senses, do we now lose that which is incomparably dearer to us – lose eternity, for which man lives on earth! But does the Lord really reward man with goods so that they may be to his detriment? No, God is good, and gives to all and everything for the good. If the blessings sent to many serve to harm, then it is the fault of those who do not know how to use them, or do not want to use them properly, in a Christian way. How should a Christian use earthly goods in a Christian way?
This is what the now glorified Saint John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople, who was distinguished by his generosity and compassion for the poor, teaches us.
a) "If riches increase, do not set your heart on them," says the Prophet (Ps. 61:11). So the first concern of a Christian should be to keep his heart far from earthly goods, so as not to take pleasure in them, so as not to forget, while taking pleasure, the One Who is higher and more invaluable than everything. Just as a traveler is not deceived by anything that comes his way, but with his heart constantly turns to what he left behind in his homeland - to his family and to everything close to his soul; so a Christian, wandering in this vale of tears, no matter what blessings he is surrounded by, must have his mind and heart constantly turned upward - to higher things - heavenly: there is his eternal home, there is everything dear to his heart. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1, 2). Therefore, possessing wealth, he does not consider it a treasure for his soul, but desires and asks God for another wealth, "where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal." Whether surrounded by honors or human praises, he remembers that the highest honor is to be among God's chosen ones, among the heirs of the kingdom of heaven, and this honor he tries to delight with humility, purity of soul and heart and all the virtues; for this he sighs day and night. The saints reached such impartiality to earthly goods that they considered it a great happiness for themselves, if they had the opportunity, to completely leave everything earthly; they often gladly abandoned wealth, glory, and honors, and retired to deserts, caves. And that is why they with such good nature, like Job, endured the loss of these goods. Often the torturers threatened the martyrs with taking away their earthly goods, and they consoled themselves by laughing at the torturers. Saint John Chrysostom, condemned to exile, in his last speech to the people says: “Tell me, what should I fear? Is it really the loss of property? We brought nothing into this world, and of course we can take nothing out of it. I despise the fear of the world and laugh at its goods. I do not fear poverty, I do not desire wealth; I do not fear death, and I do not desire life.” So, Christian, think about it. You may possess everything, but let nothing possess you – possess earthly goods, but see through them, through them desire other goods – heavenly ones. With all your heart love the Lord alone, and let everything else be dear to you in Him and for Him and in no way more than Him, and then your life’s path will flow easily!
b) But if impartiality towards earthly goods is necessary for the possessor of them, then their correct use is even more necessary. In order to see how and where a Christian should use earthly goods, one has only to pay attention to the times of the first Christians of the Apostolic Church. Then no one allowed himself to call anything his own, then everyone served others with what and how he could. The people of faith were one heart and soul, says the Evangelist Luke. And indeed, are earthly goods given to us so that only he to whom they were given may use them? But in that case, would the Distributor of gifts be unjust, rewarding some and depriving others? Saint Basil the Great reasons about this thus: “Tell me the reason for which you received property? Is God not just, who unequally divides among us the necessities of life? Why are you getting rich, while another is in poverty? Is it not so that you too may receive a reward for your kindness and faithful stewardship, and he may be honored with a great reward for his patience? So we are in the hands of God's stewards or managers of His great estate, and the gifts He gives us are the surest means of receiving a reward in heaven in the case of faithful stewardship. Thus, we are in the hands of God stewards or stewards of His great possessions, and His gifts entrusted to us from Him are the surest means of receiving a reward in heaven in the event of faithful rule. Therefore, Christian, be faithful before God, share His gifts with those who do not have them. Serve everyone with the gift that he has received. You live in abundance – come to the aid of the poor and helpless, delight the bitter cup of their life with the flood of mercies poured out upon them, bring the homeless into the house, house the homeless, visit the sick and the imprisoned. And it will be good for us if we remain faithful to the end in His house. On the day of the terrible trial and righteous retribution, then we will hear from Him that sweet, longed-for voice: "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord."
III. Therefore, brethren, it will depend on us to use earthly blessings for our salvation. Let us arouse in our hearts a thirst for heavenly things, and then it will not be deceived by the temporal; let us try to acquire love for God and our neighbor, and then we will not seek our own in life, but what our neighbor wants - that which God desires from us. Amen.
Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
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