Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Doctor – “John of the Golden Mouth”
“When you are before the altar where Christ reposes,
you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men;
but believe that there are troops of angels
and archangels standing by you and trembling with respect
before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth.
Therefore, when you are in church, be there in silence,
fear and veneration.”
“It is not man that causes the things offered to become
the Body and Blood of Christ but He who was crucified for us,
Christ Himself. The priest, in the role of Christ,
pronounces these words, but their Power and Grace are God’s.
This is my body, He says. This word transforms the things offered.”
“Let us, then, come back from that table like lions breathing out fire,
thus becoming terrifying to the Devil and remaining mindful of our Head
and of the love He has shown for us. . .
This Blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them
at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. . .
This Blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. . .
This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church. . .
This thought will check in us unruly passions.
How long, in truth, shall we be attached to present things?
How long shall we remain asleep?
How long shall we not take thought for our own salvation?
Let us remember what privileges God has bestowed on us,
let us give thanks,
let us glorify Him,
not only by faith but also by our very works.”
“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 neighbour!”
