CHAPTER I The Priesthood the greatest evidence of love to Christ
CHAPTER I
The Priesthood the greatest evidence of love to Christ
80. It could be shown even yet more fully that it is possible to employ the influence of deceit for good, or rather, that in such a case we ought not to call it deceit, but a sort of management worthy of our admiration. But since what I have said is sufficient demonstration, it would be burdensome and tedious to carry my discourse to an unnecessary length; and it remains for you to prove that I have not used this very thing to your advantage.
[BASIL.] 81. Then said Basil: And what advantage has occurred to me from this management, or wisdom, or whatever you may please to call it; that I may be convinced I have not been deceived by you?
[CHRYSOSTOM.] 82. What can exceed this advantage, said I,—that you have been seen to perform what Christ himself declared to be the evidences of love to Christ?
83. For addressing the chief of the Apostles, He said, “Peter, lovest thou me?” And when he confessed that he did, He added, “If thou lovest me, feed my sheep.”
84. The Master asked the disciple if he loved Him, not that He might obtain information, for how should He do this, who searches the hearts of all men? but that He might teach us how much He is concerned in the superintendence of these sheep. And since this is manifest, it will also be evident, that a great and unspeakable recompense will await him who labours in those things which Christ esteems so much.
85. For if, when we see any concerned for our domestics, and families, and flocks, we regard their zeal for them as a sign of love to us,—although all this can be bought for money,—with how great a recompense will He, who not with money nor any such thing, but by his own death purchased this flock, and gave his own blood as the price of this herd, reward those who tend it?
86. When therefore the disciple said, “Thou knowest, Lord, that I love thee,” and appealed to the Beloved One Himself as the witness of his love, the Saviour did not stop at this, but added that which was the token of love.
87. He did not wish to show then how much Peter loved him, because this already appeared in many ways, but how much He himself loved his own Church, and He wished Peter and all of us to learn that we also should display great zeal for the same objects.
88. Why did God not spare his only-begotten Son, but gave him up, although his only one? It was that He might reconcile those who had been his enemies, and make them a peculiar people. Why did He shed his blood? It was that He might purchase those sheep which He committed to Peter and to those who come after him.
89. Christ therefore said rightly, “Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has appointed over his household.” The words again are those of one who doubts, though the speaker uttered them without doubting; but, as when He asked Peter if he loved Him, He inquired although he did not need to learn the disciple’s affection, but wished to show the vast extent of his own love: So too now, when He says, “Who is a faithful and wise servant?” He says it not because He knows not who is faithful and wise, but because He wills to show the rarity of such endowments, and the greatness of this office. Notice how great is the reward: “He shall appoint him ruler over all his goods.”