Let everyone see that you’re a citizen of heaven; Angels: Day 297

St. John Chrysostom tells us that the best way to draw back those who don’t come to church is not by preaching to them, but by showing them the difference the Mass makes in our lives. If they see in our behavior that we’ve been let into Heaven to sing with the choirs of angels, they’ll come running.

I’ll never stop begging you, with all earnestness, as I have often done before: Bring your brethren to us! Urge the wanderers! Advise them not just by words, but by deeds!

The teaching that comes through our manners and behavior is more powerful. Even if you don’t speak a word, but, when you leave this assembly, show the people left behind what gain you’ve brought away with you by the way you carry yourself, the way you look, and all the rest of your behavior—that’s enough to urge and teach them. We ought to leave this place as we would from a sacred shrine, as if we’ve come down from Heaven itself, as if we’ve become calm and philosophical, and do everything and say everything in proper measure.

When a wife sees her husband coming back from this assembly, and a father his son, and a friend his friend, and an enemy his enemy—let them all get an impression of the benefit you’ve gained from coming here. And they will get it, if they can see that you’ve become milder, more philosophical, and more devout.

Think of the privileges you enjoy—you, who have been initiated into the mysteries! Think with what company you offer up that mystic hymn, with what company you sing out the “Holy, holy, holy”! Teach outsiders that you have joined the chorus of the Seraphim, that you are ranked as a citizen of the common- wealth above, that you have been enrolled in the choir of angels, that you have conversed with the Lord, that you have been in the company of Christ!

If we act that way, we won’t have to say anything when we go out to those who are left behind. They’ll be able to see their own loss by what we’ve gained, and they’ll come here running to get the same benefits themselves. –St. John Chrysostom, “If Your Enemy Hunger, Feed Him,”  4

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What do people see when I come home from Mass? Can they tell I’ve been singing with the Seraphim?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, unite my voice with the voices of your holy angels, and of all the saints who praise you and give constant witness  to your glories.

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