There are many things in this life that distract us from looking toward heaven. Whether it be work, life struggles, or any other thing we are all guilty at one time or another of becoming stale in our journey of faith. What do we do when this happens?
God forbid we stay there! We pray, read scripture, and we can look to those great saints who came before us. The bottom line is that there is always some aspect of our spiritual lives that we need to develop. A saint that can help us with that is St. John Chrysostom. His words are as challenging today and when they were first spoken. Studying his preaching and teaching is a good way to reinvigorate your faith.
Who is St. John Chrysostom?
John Chrystostom was an early church father, and doctor of the church, that was born in A.D. 347. Chrysostom mean “golden-mouthed” and was given this moniker because of how articulate and well-spoken he was. He was the Bishop of Constantinople and regularly spoke out against Ecclesiastical and political abuse.
His writings and homilies are immense and includes many commentaries and treatises. One of his lasting impacts on the Faith is seen in the divine liturgy of the Eastern churches. There is much more that can be said about this great saint. He challenges Christians in his day just as he does now. Below are the seven challenging quotes from this saint to help you grow in your faith.
Challenging Quote of John Chrysostom
1. “This is the cause of all evils, the not knowing the Scriptures. We go into battle without arms, and how are we to come off safe?”
2. “Make sure that you do not limit your prayer merely to a particular part of the day. Turn to prayer at anytime.”
3. “Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. ”
4. “Just as those who are deprived of light cannot walk straight, so also those who do not behold the ray of the Holy Scriptures must necessarily sin, since they walk in the deepest darkness.”
5. “Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.”
6. “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.”
7. “Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Creative Commons. Free for commercial use. No attribution required.