THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
One who governs necessarily has many reasons to grieve others. Physicians are often compelled to grieve the sick in many ways. They prepare food and medicines for them which are not pleasant, though they bring great benefit.
Fathers, likewise, are often severe with their sons. So too are teachers, and even much more.
Although the sick man may be angry at the physician, the physician is still received kindly by his relatives and friends, and often by the sick man himself. Likewise, a father can very easily exercise authority over his son, relying on natural and external laws. Even if the son unwillingly listens to his lessons and rebukes, no one will prevent the father from giving them. The son himself will not even dare to show displeasure in his face.
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But the priest has many difficulties. First of all, he must govern in such a way that people obey him willingly and are grateful to him for his governance. This is not easily achieved. For the one who is rebuked and reproved, whoever he may be, generally feels annoyance instead of gratitude.
The same will happen with one whom we address with counsel, admonition, and entreaty. Therefore, if I say, “Distribute money to the poor,” I shall say something unpleasant and burdensome. If I say, “Tame anger, extinguish wrath, bridle shameful desire, and moderate luxury somewhat,” all this will seem burdensome and unpleasant.
If I discipline a negligent man, remove him from the church, or forbid him to take part in common prayer, he will be sorrowful. Yet he will not grieve because he has been deprived of this, but because he has been publicly shamed.
This is an intensification of the disease. When we are removed from spiritual blessings, we grieve not that we are deprived of them, but that we have been shamed before the eyes of men. We do not fear or tremble at the thing itself.
For this reason Paul speaks much about this in various places. Christ Himself recognized the necessity of their submission so much that He said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do; but do not do according to their works” (Mt 23:2-3).
Again, when He healed the leper, He said, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Mt 8:4).
But You Yourself say, O Lord, “You make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves” (Mt 23:15). For this reason, He says, I also added, “Do not do according to their works.” Thus Christ removed every pretext for disobedience from the subordinate.
Paul also says in the Epistle to Timothy: “Let the presbyters who rule well be counted worthy of double honor” (1 Tim 5:17). In the Epistle to the Hebrews he says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them” (Heb 13:17). Here again he says, “We ask you, brethren, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.”
Since he had said, “Therefore comfort one another and edify one another” (v. 11), he added these words so that they would not conclude that he was raising them to the dignity of teachers. It is as though he said, I entrust to you also the edifying of one another, since it is impossible for the teacher to say everything.
He says, “those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and correct you.” But is this fitting, you ask? What are you saying? If someone intercedes for you before a man, you do everything for him and show him complete gratitude. This priest intercedes for you before God. Will you not feel gratitude toward him?
But how does he intercede, you ask? He prays for you. He gives you the spiritual gift communicated through baptism. He watches over you, teaches you, and admonishes you. If you call him at midnight, he comes.
He receives nothing for this, except that he is subjected to your slander and must endure your reproaches. What does he need? Whether he has done well or badly, you have a wife, enjoy pleasures, and are occupied with worldly advantages. But the priest has dedicated himself to this alone. For him there is no other occupation in life except the service of the Church.