26 June 2021
Truth
Here
he shows perplexity and amazement, and desires to learn of themselves the
reason of their change. Who, says he, has deceived you, and caused a difference
in your disposition towards me? Are you not the same who attended and
ministered to me, counting me more precious than your own eyes? What then has
happened? Whence this dislike? Whence this suspicion? Is it because I have told
you the truth? You ought on this very account to pay me increased honor and
attention; instead of which I have become your enemy, because I tell you the
truth, — for I can find no other reason but this. Observe too what humbleness
of mind appears in his defense of himself; he proves not by his conduct to
them, but by theirs to him that his language could not possibly have proceeded
from unkind feeling. For he says not; How is it supposable that one, who has
been scourged and driven about, and ill-treated a thousand things for your
sakes, should now have schemes against you? But he argues from what they had
reason to boast of, saying, How can one who has been honored by you, and
received as an Angel, repay you by conduct the very opposite?
St. John Chrysostom
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