Prologue in Sermons: December 19

Almsgiving and Mercy Make Sinners Righteous and Bring Them Into the Ranks of the Saints

December 19
 
(Commemoration of the Holy Martyr Boniface)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Both the word of God and the Holy Fathers teach that almsgiving and mercy bring great blessings to man. 

The Apostle James teaches: "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). 

Tobit says to his son: "Almsgiving delivers from death, and does not allow one to go into darkness" (Tob. 4:10).

Blessed Augustine observes, "Mercy stands before the gates of Gehenna and does not allow anyone to be cast into prison" (Discourse 39, Question 50). 

Finally, John Chrysostom writes, "Almsgiving stands before the Throne, not only offering protection, but also advising the Judge Himself that He may have mercy on the guilty." 

This is what both the word of God and the Holy Fathers teach about the blessings bestowed upon man by almsgiving and mercy. But it seems to us that they have not yet enumerated all the blessings. There are also special, higher blessings bestowed upon man by almsgiving. Know that almsgiving and mercy have made sinners righteous and included them among the ranks of saints. We will now prove this to you by deed.

The Holy Martyr Boniface, whose memory the Holy Church celebrates on December 19, was, as his life tells us, a drunkard. Yet, despite this shortcoming, he was merciful, hospitable, and spared nothing to generously assist those in need. He was the slave of a wealthy mistress named Aglaida, a woman also merciful and philanthropic. One day, she said to Boniface, "Go to the East, where the saints suffer, and bring me their relics, that they may serve for our aid and salvation." Boniface, smiling at her words, replied, "And if they bring my body, will you accept it?" The mistress scoffed at his words and called him a drunkard. However, she did not abandon her intention and, giving him much gold, sent him to Cilicia, where the saints were martyred for Christ. Arriving there, Boniface presented himself to the commander of the soldiers, declared himself a Christian, and was subjected to various tortures, then beheaded with a sword. The servants of Boniface's mistress, who were present at the execution, took his body and brought it to their mistress. She joyfully accepted the martyr's body, showed it great honor, and buried it in her home. She built a church in his honor and then, it is said, having lived a venerable and God-pleasing life, she peacefully gave up her spirit to the Lord.

Therefore, truly, brethren, almsgiving works miracles and makes sinners righteous, and sometimes even enshrines them among the saints. What follows from this? That we must be diligent in it and perform works of mercy. What are they? "Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked, heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness. Keep the old and young within your walls. Wheresoever you find the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give you the first place in my resurrection" (3 Esdras 2:20-23).

Thus, brethren, do so that you may become heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.