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Living Simply XXIX

Do I possess the house in which I live?  No, it is only on loan to me from God while I remain in that place.  Do I possess the clothes I wear?  No, they are on loan to me until they wear out, or until I give them away to someone in greater need.  Do I possess this body that you see before you?  No, it was lent to me by God when I was born, and He will take it back when I die.  Do I possess the mind that is composing the words that I speak?  No, that too was lent by God at my birth and will go when I die.   So do I possess anything?   Yes, I possess the virtues which during my life have grown and flourished within my soul.  Inasmuch as I have grown in love, I possess love.  Inasmuch as I have grown in faith, I possess faith.  Inasmuch as I have grown in gentleness, I possess gentleness.  These things are immortal; they are divine gifts which God will not take away, because He wants heaven itself to be filled with virtue.  And of course, I possess my soul, in which these virtues have their roots.

-St. John Chrysostom.

Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 09:10AM by Registered Commenterbonovox in | Comments1 Comment

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Thank you for posting this.
June 28, 2006 | Unregistered CommenterAmyH

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