Today is just one of the feast days of John Chrysostom.
In the Orthodox Church he is a saint. He is called "Golden Mouth". He's my husband's patron saint.
Orthodox do not worship saints. We know they (saints) are close to God, that is why we pray to them, for them to ask God for help on our behalf. We still pray to God. We worship only God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
"Comfort is the enemy to Christians."
-St. John Chrysostom
We had a winter retreat today at church and we had a guest speaker come. He said many good things, but that last statement stood out in my mind. I often feel "too comfortable" in my life. I know that if I had more struggle and strife and pain and un-comfort I would have to turn to God more. Satan likes to keep us fat and happy, it reminds me of the opium smokers in the book, "The Good Earth". They simply forget about the things that are important in their life and who they are supposed to care for. That's what comfort does to our souls. It makes us forget that we are supposed to be struggling for something more. No matter how comfortable we can be in this life, the next will be far superior and have outstanding comfort for us to dwell in. The enemy teaches us to strive for comfort here on Earth...forget about the next life. It's a very real battle. The battle of the couch potato, but real, none-the-less.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chrysostom
In the Orthodox Church he is a saint. He is called "Golden Mouth". He's my husband's patron saint.
Orthodox do not worship saints. We know they (saints) are close to God, that is why we pray to them, for them to ask God for help on our behalf. We still pray to God. We worship only God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
"Comfort is the enemy to Christians."
-St. John Chrysostom
We had a winter retreat today at church and we had a guest speaker come. He said many good things, but that last statement stood out in my mind. I often feel "too comfortable" in my life. I know that if I had more struggle and strife and pain and un-comfort I would have to turn to God more. Satan likes to keep us fat and happy, it reminds me of the opium smokers in the book, "The Good Earth". They simply forget about the things that are important in their life and who they are supposed to care for. That's what comfort does to our souls. It makes us forget that we are supposed to be struggling for something more. No matter how comfortable we can be in this life, the next will be far superior and have outstanding comfort for us to dwell in. The enemy teaches us to strive for comfort here on Earth...forget about the next life. It's a very real battle. The battle of the couch potato, but real, none-the-less.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chrysostom
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| Grace like a flame shining forth from thy mouth has illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of poverty and shown us the height of humility. And as by thine own words thou teachest us, Father John Chrysostom, so intercede with the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls. |
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