Letter 134

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Theoctistus, Bishop of Beroea [modern Aleppo] Date: ~451 AD Context: After the tide has turned in his favor, Theodoret reproaches a bishop who abandoned him during the crisis, using Scripture to argue that loyalty to friends in adversity is a divine commandment. To Theoctistus, Bishop of Beroea, Our Savior, Lawgiver, and Lord was once asked, "What is the first commandment?" He answered: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Then He added: "This is the first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." And He said further: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" [Matthew 22:36-40]. Whoever keeps these fulfills the Law. Whoever transgresses them is guilty of transgressing the whole Law. Let us examine ourselves, then, before the honest tribunal of our own conscience, and ask whether we have fulfilled these commands. The first is kept by the one who guards the faith given by God in its integrity, who despises its attackers as enemies of the truth, and who hates all those who hate the Beloved. The second is kept by the one who values his neighbor's welfare above all, and who preserves the laws of friendship not only in prosperity but also in misfortune. Those, on the other hand, who look after their own safety -- as they suppose -- who on that account abandon the laws of friendship and take no notice when their friends are attacked, belong to the number of the wicked and those who stand outside. The Lord demands better of His disciples: "Love your enemies," He says. "For if you love only those who love you, what reward will you have? Even sinners and tax collectors do that" [Matthew 5:44-46]. I, however, have not received even the kindness that tax collectors receive. Tax collectors, did I say? I have not even received the consolation given to murderers and sorcerers in their dungeons. If everyone had imitated this cruelty, nothing would have been left for me in my lifetime except to waste away from want, and at my death, instead of being laid in a tomb, to become food for dogs and wild beasts. But I found support in those who care nothing for this present life and await the enjoyment of everlasting blessings. They have provided me with abundant consolation. And now the loving Lord has caused "judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment" [Psalm 76:8-9]. The falsehood of the new heresy has been condemned, and the truth of the divine Gospels is publicly proclaimed. For my part I cry out with the blessed David: "Blessed be the Lord God who alone does wondrous things, and blessed be His glorious name; and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen" [Psalm 72:18-19].

Letter 134 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To Theoctistus, Bishop of Berœa. Our Saviour, Lawgiver, and Lord, was once asked, What is the first commandment? His reply was You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And He added This is the first commandment: and the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Then He said further On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. He then who keeps these, according to the definition of the Lord, plainly fulfils the Law; and he who transgresses them is guilty of transgressing the whole Law. Let us then examine, before the exact and righteous tribunal of our conscience, whether we have fulfilled the divine commandments. Now the first is kept by him who guards the faith given by God in its integrity, who abominates its assailants as enemies of the truth and hates heartily all those who hate the beloved; and the second by him who most highly esteems the care of his neighbour and who, not only in prosperity but also in apparent misfortunes, observes the laws of friendship. They, on the other hand, who look after their own safety, as they suppose, who on its account make little of the laws of friendship and take no heed of their friends when assaulted and attacked, are reckoned to belong to the number of the wicked and of them that are without. The Lord of all requires better things at the hands of His disciples. Love He says your enemies, for if you love them which love you, what reward will you have? For the sinners and the publicans do this. I, however, have not received even such kindness as publicans receive. Publicans, do I say? I have not even received the consolation given to murderers and wizards in their dungeons. If every one had imitated this cruelty, nothing else would have been left then for me in my life time but to be wasted by want, and, at my death, instead of being committed to a tomb, to be made meat for dogs and wild beasts. But I have found support in those who care nought for this present life, but await the enjoyment of everlasting blessings, and these furnish me with manifold consolation. But the loving Lord caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment. But the wicked shall perish. The falsehood of the new heresy has been proscribed, and the truth of the divine Gospels is publicly proclaimed. I for my part exclaim with the blessed David, Blessed be the Lord God who only does wondrous things, and blessed be His glorious name: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; amen and amen.