Imitate the fruitful earth.

The answer

St. John Chrysostom says, “This is a rule of the most perfect Christianity, this is a landmark exactly laid down, this is the point that stands highest of all; seeking those things which are for the common profit: which also Paul himself declared, by adding, ‘even as I also am of Christ’ (1 Cor. 11:1). For nothing can so make a man an imitator of Christ as caring for his neighbors. Though you should fast, though you should lie upon the ground, and even strangle yourself, but take no thought for your neighbour; you have wrought nothing great, but still stand far from this Image, while so doing.”¹¹⁰⁶

St. Basil the Great says, “Gatherings and communal life make it apparent why the tendency to share our possessions with others is necessary. ‘Give to him who asks you’ (Matt. 5:42). The Lord asks us to be ready to give whoever asks us for alms and to consider the needs of all who ask us.”¹¹⁰⁷

He also says, “Imitate the earth, O mortal. Bear fruit as it does; do not show yourself inferior to inanimate soil. After all, the earth does not nurture fruit for its own enjoyment, but for your benefit. But whatever fruit of good works you bring forth, you produce for yourself, since the grace of good works redounds to those who perform them. You gave to the poor, and in so doing not only did you make what you gave truly your own, but you received back even more. For just as grain, when it falls upon the ground, brings forth an increase for the one who scatters it, thus also bread cast to the hungry yields considerable profit at a later time. Therefore, let the end of your harvesting be the beginning of a heavenly sowing. As the Scripture says, ‘Sow for yourselves righteousness’ (Hos. 10:12).”¹¹⁰⁸

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty