THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
See how the angel does not at once say what he has to say. First he scatters fear and lifts Cornelius' thoughts upward. The vision produced fear in him, but a moderate fear, only enough to make him attentive.
Then the angel's words dispelled this fear. Or rather, the praise contained in them softened the unpleasant feeling of fear. But let us return to what was said above. "The angel answered him: Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."
From this it is clear that when the angel called him by name, then Cornelius saw him. Had he not called him, Cornelius would not have seen him, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was doing.
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There is nothing equal to almsgiving. Or rather, such is the greatness of this virtue when it comes from pure treasuries. What comes from unrighteous possessions is like a spring pouring out filth. What comes from righteous acquisitions is like a clear and pure stream in a garden.
It is pleasant to behold, sweet to taste, and gives freshness and coolness at midday. Such is almsgiving.
Beside this spring there grow no poplars, no pines, no cypresses, but other growths, far better than these great trees. There grow love for God, praise from men, glory before God, goodwill from all, the blotting out of sins, great boldness, contempt for wealth, and mercy, by which the tree of love is nourished.
Nothing so nourishes love as almsgiving. It stretches its branches upward. It is a spring better than Paradise's spring. It is not divided into four rivers (Gen 2:10), but reaches to heaven itself.
It pours forth that "water springing up into eternal life" (Jn 4:14). When death touches it, death vanishes like a spark in a spring. Wherever it flows, it produces great blessings.
It quenches that river of fire as though it were a spark. It destroys that worm as though it were nothing. Whoever has it will not know the gnashing of teeth (Mt 25:30).
If even a drop of its water falls upon bonds, it breaks them. The spring of Paradise does not at one time pour forth streams and at another dry up. If it did, it would not be a spring.
It flows continually. So let our spring also always pour forth most abundant streams, especially for those who need alms, so that it may remain a spring. This gives joy to the one who receives.
This is almsgiving: when the stream poured forth is not only abundant, but constant. If you wish God's mercy to rain upon you as from a spring, then have a spring within yourself.
Nothing can be compared with it. If you open this spring, God's spring will open so as to surpass every abyss. God waits only for an occasion from us, that He may pour blessings from His treasuries.
When a man spends and gives away, then he becomes rich and abounds. Great is the outflow of this spring, and pure and transparent is its stream. If you do not block it, you will not block God's spring either.
Plant no barren tree beside it, lest it consume its moisture. Do you have an estate? Do not plant poplars there. Such is luxury: it destroys much, gives nothing of itself, and only ruins the fruit.
Do not plant pine, linden, or other such trees. They require much and are useful for nothing. Such is luxury in clothing: pleasant only to the eye, but useful for nothing.
Grow vines instead. Plant every fruit-bearing tree you wish in the hands of the poor. There is no soil more fruitful than this. Though the hand has little capacity, the tree planted there reaches heaven itself and stands firm.
This is what it means to plant. What is planted in the earth will perish, if not now, then after a hundred years. Why plant trees from which you will not benefit?
Before you can benefit, death will come and snatch you away. But this tree will bear fruit for you when you die. If you plant, do not plant in an insatiable belly, lest the fruit be cast out.
Plant in the womb of the hungry, so that the fruit may reach heaven. Comfort the suffering soul of the poor, lest your fattened soul grieve.
Do you not see how trees watered beyond measure rot from the root, while those watered moderately grow? So do not water your belly excessively, lest the root of this tree rot. Water the thirsty belly, that it may bear fruit.
What is watered moderately does not rot under the sun, but what is watered immoderately does rot. Such is the natural action of the sun. Immoderation is an evil everywhere.
Therefore let us abstain from it, that we also may receive what we ask. Springs, they say, have their source in very high places. Let us also become lofty in soul, and almsgiving will immediately flow from us.
It is impossible for a lofty soul not to be merciful, and impossible for a merciful soul not to be lofty. Whoever despises possessions is above "the root of all evils" (1 Tim 6:10).
Springs are most often found in deserts. Let us also lead the soul out of worldly vanity, and almsgiving will flow from us. The more springs are cleansed, the more abundant they become.
So also, the more we distribute, the more our store of good things will grow. Whoever has a spring is free from fear. So we too, if we have the spring of almsgiving, shall not be afraid.
For drinking, for irrigation, for building houses, this spring is useful to us for everything. There is no drink better than this, for it does not produce drunkenness. It is better to have such a spring than springs that supply gold.
The soul that bears this gold is better than any gold-bearing land. This gold accompanies us, not into this kingdom, but into the kingdom above. This gold serves as the adornment of the Church of God.
From this gold the spiritual sword is made (Eph 6:17), the sword by which the serpent is cut down. From this spring come the precious stones that adorn the head of the King (Rev 4:3).
Let us not neglect such wealth. Let us give alms generously, that we may be counted worthy of God's mercy, by the grace and compassion of His Only-begotten Son, to Whom be all glory, honor, and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.