Vigils Reading

THE SEEDS OF GODLINESS

From a treatise by St John Chrysostom

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[Christ’s] predictions were of two kinds. Some are to be fulfilled in the

present life; others will come true after the consummation of the world. But the

first kind confirmed the second and gave abundant proof that the prophecies

about the world to come are also true. Let me give you an example and, by that

example, I shall try to clear up any obscurity in what I mean. When only twelve

disciples followed him, neither the reality nor even the name of a Church

occurred to anyone. The synagogue was still flourishing. Why, then, did he

speak of the Church and predict it at a time when practically the whole world

was in the grip of godlessness? “Upon this rock I shall build my Church, and

the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.

Put this prediction of Christ to whatever test you wish and you will see

that its truth shines brightly forth. For it is a marvel not only that he built the

Church throughout the world but that he kept it unconquered even though it

was harassed by so many assaults. The words: “The gates of hell shall not

prevail against it,” mean the dangers which beget death, the dangers which lead

us down to hell.

Do you not see that this prediction came true? Do you not see the strength

of its fulfillment? Do you not see the words shining forth as proved in the light

of the facts? Do you not see his invincible power which does all things with

ease? Because the words are few — “I will build my Church” — do not simply

pass over them. Ponder them in your mind. Think how great a thing it is to fill

every land under the sun with so many Churches in so short a time. Think what

it means to have converted so many nations, to have won over so many peoples,

to have destroyed ancestral customs, to have torn out deep-rooted habits, to

have driven out, like dust before the wind, the tyrannous rule of pleasure and

the power and strength of evil. People have destroyed their old altars, temples,

idols, and rites. They have destroyed their accursed festivals and made the

unclean savor of victims disappear like smoke.

That word which Christ spoke in his own day has been planted in the souls

of all men and is found on the lips of all. It is just as if land that was filled with

thorns has been cleansed and become a cleared field. And this field has received

the seeds of godliness.