Don’t rely on worldly things; Church Fathers: Day 200

Last updated on: February 10, 2018 at 6:44 am by Pete Socks

Don’t rely on worldly things; Church Fathers: Day 200 2018-02-10T06:44:02-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The ex-slave Eutropius ruled Constantinople by controlling a puppet emperor, who abolished the right of churches to shelter fugitives. When Eutropius himself ended up a fugitive in a church, St. John Chrysostom gave him shelter— but on Sunday he revealed the cowering Eutropius to the whole congregation. Then he preached one of the most memorable sermons of his career.

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

This saying ought to be written on our walls and clothes, in the marketplace, in the house, on the streets, on the doors and entrances, and above all on the conscience of everyone. It should be a perpetual theme for meditation.

Since deceitful things, masks, and pretenses seem real to many, at supper and at breakfast and whenever people gather together, everyone should say to his neighbor, and hear his neighbor say in return, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

Didn’t I keep telling you that wealth was a runaway? But you wouldn’t listen. Didn’t I tell you it was an ungrateful servant? But you wouldn’t be persuaded. But now look! Actual experience has proved that it is not only a runaway and an ungrateful servant, but also a murderous one, because it’s what has made you fear and tremble.

When you kept rebuking me for speaking the truth, didn’t I tell you, “I love you more than those who flatter you! When I reprove you, I care more for you than those who pay court to you”? Didn’t I also say that the words of friends were more reliable than the willing kisses of enemies?

If you had submitted to my wounds, their kisses wouldn’t have brought this destruction on you. My wounds bring health, but their kisses have produced an incurable disease. –St. John Chrysostom, Homily 1 on Eutropius, 1

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What do I really rely on?

Where would I turn if material wealth failed me tomorrow?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, touch my understanding, and take away from me all vanity, hypocrisy, and deceit.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Church Fathers

Church Fathers

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint John Chrysostom

Previous Post

February 9, 2018

Apply what you hear in church to yourself; Church Fathers: Day 199

Next Post

February 11, 2018 Don’t blame the Church for wicked Christians; Church Fathers: Day 201

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz