HOMILY XIV.] HOMILIES ON TIMOTHY. 455 him not as Christ, receive him not at all. " He that receiveth you," He said, " receiveth Me." (Matt. x. 40.) If you do not so receive him, you have no reward. Abraham was receiving men that passed as travelers, as he thought, and he did not leave to his servants to make the preparations for their entertainment, but took the greater part of the service upon him self, and commanded his wife to mix the flour, though he had three hundred and eighteen ser vants born in his house, of whom there must have been many l maidservants ; but he wished that himself and his wife should have the reward, not of the cost only, but of the service. Thus ought we ever to exercise hospitality by our own personal exertions, that we may be sanctified, and our hands be blessed. And if thou givest to the poor, disdain not thyself to give it, for it is not to the poor that it is given, but to Christ ; and who is so wretched, as to disdain to stretch out his own hand to Christ? This is hospitality, this is truly to do it for God s sake. But if you give orders with pride, though you bid him take the first place, it is not hospitality, it is not done for God s sake. The stranger requires much attendance, much en couragement, and with all this it is difficult for him not to feel abashed ; for so delicate is his position, that whilst he receives the favor, he is ashamed. That shame we ought to remove by the most attentive service, and to show by words and actions, that we do not think we are con ferring a favor, but receiving one, that we are obliging less than we are obliged. So much does good will multiply the kindness. For as he who considers himself a loser, and thinks that he is doing a favor, destroys all the merit of it ; so he who looks upon himself as receiving a kindness, increases the reward. " For God lov- eth a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. ix. 7.) So that you are rather indebted to the poor man for receiving your kindness. For if there were no poor, the greater part of your sins would not be removed. They are the healers of your wounds, their hands are medicinal to you. The physi cian, extending his hand to apply a remedy, does not exercise the healing art more than the poor man, who stretches out his hand to receive your alms, and thus becomes a cure 2 for your ills. You give your money, and with it your sins pass away. Such were the Priests of old, of whom it was said, " They eat up the sin ofMy people." (Hosfta iv. 8.) Thus thou receivest more than thou givest, thou art benefited more than thou benefitest. Thou lendest to God, not to men. Thou increasest thy wealth, rather than dimin- 1 Old Lat., " Many wives that were." be taken collectively of the household.2 tKfin.yet.oi , as if wiping a sore clean. " Of whom " may also ishest it. But if thou dost not lessen it by giving, then it is indeed diminished ! " If she have received strangers, if she have washed the Saints feet." But who are these? The distressed saints, not any saints whatever. For there may be saints, who are much waited on by every one. Do not visit these, who are in the enjoyment of plenty, but those who are in tribulation, who are unknown, or known to few. He who hath " done it unto the least of these," He saith, "hath done it unto Me." (Matt, xxv. 40.) MORAL. Give not thy alms to those who pre side in the Church to distribute. Bestow it thy self, that thou mayest have the reward not of giving merely, but of kind service. Give with thine own hands. Cast into the furrow thyself. Here it is not required to handle the plow, to yoke the ox, to wait the season, nor to break up the earth, or to contend with the frost. No such trouble is required here, where thou sowest for heaven, where there is no frost nor winter nor any such thing. Thou sowest in souls, where no one taketh away what is sown, but it is firmly retained with all care and diligence. Cast the seed thyself, why deprive thyself of thy reward. There is great reward in dispensing 3 even what belongs to others. There is a reward not only for giving, but for dispensing well the things that are given. Why wilt thou not have this reward ? For that there is a reward for this, hear how we read that the Apostles appointed Stephen to the ministry of the widows. (Acts vi. 5-7.) Be thou the dispenser of thine own gifts. Thine own benevolence and the fear of God appoint thee to that ministry. Thus vainglory is excluded. This refreshes the soul, this sanc tifies the hands, this pulls down pride. This teaches thee philosophy, this inflames thy zeal, this makes thee to receive blessings. Thy head, as thou departest, receives all the blessings of the widows. Be more earnest in thy prayers. Inquire dili gently for holy men, men that are truly such, who, in the retirement of the desert, cannot beg, but are wholly devoted to God. Take a long journey to visit them, and give with thine own hand. For thou mayest profit much in thine own person, if thou givest. Dost thou see their tents, their lodging? dost thou see the desert? dost thou see the solitude? Often when thou hast gone to bestow money, thou givest thine whole soul. Thou art detained, and hast be come his fellow-captive, and hast been alike estranged from the world. It is of great benefit even to see the poor. " It is better," he saith, " to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting." 3 Gr. " being able to dispense."