Dead to This World Alive to the Next | The Cross is the Doorway to Heaven | Red Roses, Black & White | Orthodox Christian Cotton Tank Top

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

- John 12:25

+++

Sweet is the present life, and full of much pleasure, yet not to all, but to those who are riveted to it. Since, if any one look to heaven and see the beauteous things there, he will soon despise this life, and make no account of it. Just as the beauty of an object is admired while none more beautiful is seen, but when a better appears, the former is despised. If then we would choose to look to that beauty, and observe the splendor of the kingdom there, we should soon free ourselves from our present chains; for a kind of chain it is, this sympathy with present things. …

To undo these bonds then, Christ says, He that hates his soul in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal. For that you may know that He spoke as exhorting them, and dissipating their fear, hear what comes next. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me. Speaking of death, and requiring the following which is by works. For certainly he that serves must follow him who is served. And observe at what time He said these things to them; not when they were persecuted, but when they were confident; when they thought they were in safety on account of the honor and attention of the many, when they might rouse themselves and hear, Let him take up his cross, and follow Me [Matthew 16:24]; that is, Be ever, He says, prepared against dangers, against death, against your departure hence. Then after He had spoken what was hard to bear, He puts also the prize. And of what kind was this? The following Him, and being where He is; showing that Resurrection shall succeed death. For, says He, Where I am, there is My servant also. But where is Christ? In heaven. Let us therefore even before the Resurrection remove there in soul and mind.

+ St John Chrysostom