The Master – From “Leaves from St. John Chrysostom” by Saint John Chrysostom (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

Let’s continue with selections from Chapter 15, “The Archetype and the Type” in Part 1 of The King’s Highway of Leaves From St. John Chrysostom (vegetarian), which emphasizes the importance of doing good deeds and living a virtuous life.

Chapter 15 The Archetype and the Type. (Homilies on the Epistle to the Philippians, xiii., vol. v., p. 136.)

“Only have a brave spirit, and there is no obstacle against goodness. When the laborer is strong, no external thing hinders him. And so, in the case of handicrafts, when a mechanic is experienced and steadfast, and possesses all his art, even if illness should come, he has it still; or if he should be in poverty, he has it; and whether he has the instrument in his hands or not, whether he works or not, it is not diminished, because the science is in himself. So is it with God’s servant: even if you throw him into riches, his art is shown forth; or into poverty, or disease, or health, or contempt, or fame, it is all the same. Did not the Apostles work through everything? ‘Through honor and dishonor, and evil report and good report.’ This shows the soldier, being invulnerable against everything. For this is the nature of virtue. If you say, ‘I am unable to be set over many, I do best alone,’ you insult virtue, for it can benefit all, and show itself, let it only be in the mind. Has hunger to be endured? Or is there abundance? Virtue, again, shows its own strength; as Paul said: ‘I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.’ […]

Therefore, he said: ‘Be not conformed to this world:’ our citizenship is in Heaven, where there is no change. Immutable rewards are offered to us: let us show forth that citizenship whence we have already received good things. But what if we cast ourselves into uncertainty and a surging sea, into a storm or a hurricane? Let us be at peace. The point lies not in riches or poverty, or glory or dishonor, or sickness or health, or weakness, but in our own soul. If this be steadfast and well-grounded in goodness, all things will be easy to it, and even here it will behold its rest, and the peaceful harbor, and departing hence it will gain endless goods. May it be granted to us all through the love and kindness of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, and praise now and forever, Amen.”