Prologue in Sermons: March 5

Against Those Who Love to Move from Place to Place

March 5

(From the homilies of Saint John Chrysostom on those who say that it is impossible to be saved in the world.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

“One is well off where one is not,” says a popular proverb, reproaching those who are dissatisfied with their situation. Sadly, nothing is so widespread among us as this dissatisfaction. It seems to us that if only we changed our place, we would become incomparably happier; if our way of life were altered as we wish, we would become far better — more God-fearing, more holy.

But is this really so? Would we truly change for the better if our dreams came true? Would we really become more God-fearing and holier? Hardly. Let Saint John Chrysostom speak to us about this.

“Place will not save us,” he says, “if we do not do the will of God. Neither an honorable rank nor a holy place brings any benefit to the one who does not keep the commandments of God. What rank could be higher than that with which Adam was honored before his fall? And what place is better than Paradise, from which he was expelled?

On the other hand, what could be more disgraceful than the dunghill on which Job sat? And yet even there he kept the commandments of God and from there he passed into Paradise. Saul lived in royal splendor and perished, while Lot lived among the lawless Sodomites and received a crown.

And if someone says that it is impossible to be saved while living with a wife and children, he is flattering his own self-conceit. God receives us everywhere if we keep His commandments; but place saves no one and condemns no one: only our deeds condemn or save.”

Do you hear this, brethren? Only our deeds condemn us or save us! And who can guarantee that in a new place we would abandon our evil deeds and begin doing good ones? Surely you will agree that our evil will would follow us even to the new place; our passions would go with us as well, and the devil would not leave us either.

How then can we claim that in a new place we would certainly become better?

You may say: We will strive to change ourselves and cast away everything evil. But nothing prevents you from doing that even now.

You may say: The people here are not good; people hinder us. 

But what then — do you think that in the new place angels will be living with you? Ah, brethren, brethren! For the hundredth time I must remind you that people are people everywhere, not angels.

Therefore I will end my word as I began, with your own proverb: seek happiness and salvation not in another village, but within yourselves. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.