“GREAT ARE THE FRUITS OF THE EARTHQUAKE”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior JESUS CHRIST,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

"GREAT ARE THE FRUITS OF THE EARTHQUAKE"

After a terrible earthquake in Antioch, Saint John Chrysostom said to the people: "Great are the fruits of the earthquake." Behold, the Lord, Who loves mankind, Who shakes the city but confirms the souls; Who makes the foundations tremble but strengthens the thoughts; Who demonstrates the weakness of the city but makes the will strong! Behold His love for men: He makes to sway for a little, and makes strong forever. The earthquake lasts for two days, but the devotion will remain for all time; sorrow endures for a season, but strength is forever. A mother who wants to wean her child from frequent crying rocks the cradle strongly, not in order to kill it but to frighten it. Precisely thus, the Lord, Who holds His universe in His hand, shakes it — not in order to destroy it but to bring those who love lawlessness back to salvation." This is how the holy Fathers, the pillars of the Universal Church, knew how to explain by God’s love for man both assaults and blessings, both misfortunes and pleasures. Let us be ashamed for our slowness in thanking God when He gives, and of our quickness in grumbling at Him when He takes away. (Resources: The Prologue from Ochrid)

__________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in Christ’s Glorious and Life-Giving Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George