“Just as a calm and sheltered harbour provides great security to the ships moored there, so does the temple of God: when people enter it, it snatches them away from worldly affairs as from a storm, and gives them the capacity to stand and listen to God’s words in calm and security. This place is the bedrock of virtue and the school of spiritual life…You need only set foot on the threshold of a church and at once you are liberated from the cares of daily life. Go on into the church, and a spiritual dew will envelop your soul. The stillness there moves you to awe, and teaches you how to live spiritually. It elevates your thoughts and prevents you from remembering things or matters belonging to the present life. It transports you from earth to heaven. And if there is such great gain from simply being in church when no service is going on, then how much benefit will people derive from being present…when the holy Apostles proclaim the Gospel, Christ stands in our midst, God the Father receives the Mysteries that are performed and the Holy Spirit gives His own joy.”
– St. John Chrysostom
Hat-tip to Matthew Howell
2011/02/24 at 23:17
Thank you for that. This helps put things in perspective a bit and opens the door to a new freshness (or dew, as he puts it) when we enter those doors.
2011/02/27 at 06:48
I am glad it was beneficial to you. How are things in the new house? Give me a call if you get a chance.