A great illustration of how to build our lives on the Rock of Christ so that our faith may withstand the storms of life is given to us by St. John Chrysostom, whom the Church celebrates today on his 1607th anniversary. In his famous homily before exile, he declared, The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us,” he said, “but we do not fear drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock. Let the waves rise, they cannot sink the boat of Jesus. What are we to fear? Death? Life to me means Christ, and death is gain (Phil 1:21). Exile? ‘The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord (1 Cor 10:26). The confiscation of goods? We brought nothing into this world, and we shall surely take nothing from it (1 Tim 6:7). …I have his promise; I am surely not going to rely on my own strength! I have what he has written; that is my staff, my security, my peaceful harbour. Let the world be in upheaval. I hold to his promise and read his message; that is my protecting wall and garrison. What message? Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world! If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear? Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web. … [Christs promise] is my strong tower, my immovable rock, my staff that never gives way.”
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:42:55 +0000
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