Don't Put Off Repentance From Day to Day
December 20
(John Chrysostom was appointed as Patriarch in the city of Constantinople, and this was the beginning of his teaching on repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
December 20
(John Chrysostom was appointed as Patriarch in the city of Constantinople, and this was the beginning of his teaching on repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Some sinners, either extremely lazy in the work of their salvation, or already sunk to the depths of evil, not caring at all about their own correction, commonly say, "What can I do? I don't go to church, I don't repent, I don't take communion because I consider myself a great sinner and not worthy of entering God's temple." So, brethren, is this excuse of sinners justified or not? Know that it is completely unjustified; for to speak thus is to disbelieve in God's mercy, which is boundless toward repentant sinners and can always, very quickly, change His wrath to mercy.
Let such sinners not speak as they speak, but rather let them go to the Lord with tears and a plea for forgiveness, and the Lord will forgive them.
And this is what Saint John Chrysostom says to such people in his sermon before the Nativity of Christ.
“The feast of the Nativity of Christ is approaching, brethren, and now I begin my sermon, so that you may be cleansed of sins and approach the Holy Mysteries. Let no one tell me that I am completely filled with sins, yet there is very little time for repentance. The last five days before the feast are sufficient for us to attain forgiveness, if we sincerely repent of them, keep vigil and fast during them, and hate our sins. Let us not look at the shortness of time, but at God’s love for mankind. The Ninevites repented for only three days, yet in three days they averted God’s wrath. The harlot who came to Christ washed away all her sins in a single hour, for she approached with faith and wiped the Savior’s feet with her tears. And you, counter your sins with virtues, and you will be forgiven. Have you robbed? Repay the robbery of those you have wronged, and add something of your own. Say to the Lord with Zacchaeus: 'Behold, Lord, I return fourfold whatever I have wronged.' If you have sinned with your tongue, then now offer up pure prayers instead, and forgive those who curse and slander you. And if you do this and repent with tears, you will need little time for repentance, and even in a single day you can earn forgiveness... And so," concludes Saint John Chrysostom, "I beg you, abandon flattery and deceit, and love virtue; cease from malice and promise not to do evil again, and this will be enough for you to receive forgiveness from the Lord. And I become a witness and vouch for you that God will truly forgive you if you cease from your sins immediately."
What can I add to these words of the universal teacher, and what can I say of my own for your edification? Let us say that you should quickly go to the Lord with tears and a plea for forgiveness, and the Lord will forgive you and heal your sinful wounds. As you see, He is infinitely merciful to those who sincerely repent, and the Lord will always forgive them, as He forgave Peter, the harlot who wept at His feet, the prudent thief, and countless others who tearfully repented and promised to reform. But postponing repentance is both sinful and dangerous. Who told you that you would still have time to repent and reform? How do you know when the Lord will call you to Judgment? Who assured you that in the future you will be better and not add sin to sin? Of course, no one, so be careful. "Watch," says the Lord, "for you do not know what hour your Lord will come" (Matt. 24:42). And in another place: "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is... Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping" (Mark 13:33–36).
Be careful, we repeat, and hasten to the Lord. Otherwise, woe will come to you when you hear that threatening voice: "Truly I say to you, I do not know you" (Matthew 25:12). O, deliver us from this, Lord! Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.