From
a homily attributed to Saint John Chrysostom
Prayer is the light of the
soul
 he
highest good is prayer and conversation with God, because it means that we
are in God’s company and in union with Him. When light enters our bodily
eyes our eyesight is sharpened; when a soul is intent on God, God’s
inextinguishable light shines into it and makes it bright and clear. I am
talking, of course, of prayer that comes from the heart and not from routine:
not the prayer that is assigned to particular days or particular moments
in time, but the prayer that happens continuously by day and by
night.
 The
soul should be quick to turn to God not only at times of formal prayers. Whatever
we are engaged in, whether it is care for the poor, or some other duty, or some act
of generosity, we should remember God and long for God. The love of God will be as
salt is to food, making our actions into a perfect dish to set before the Lord of
all things. Then it is right that we should receive the fruits of our labours,
overflowing onto us through all eternity, if we have been offering them to
Him throughout our lives.
Prayer is the light of the spirit,
true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and men. Prayer lifts the soul
into the heavens where it hugs God in an indescribable embrace. The soul
seeks the milk of God like a baby crying for the breast. It fulfills its
own vows and receives in exchange gifts better than anything that can be
seen or imagined in nature.
Prayer stands before God as an
honored ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit and peace to the heart. I
warn you, though: do not imagine that prayer is mere words. Prayer is the
desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not given by man but brought about
by God’s grace. As Saint Paul says: For when we cannot choose words
in order to pray properly, the Spirit Himself intercedes on our behalf in
a way that could never be put into words.
When God gives to someone the
gift of such prayer, it is a gift of imperishable riches, a heavenly food
that satisfies the spirit. Whoever tastes that food catches fire and his
soul burns for ever with desire for the Lord.
To begin on this path, start
by adorning your house with modesty and humility. Make it shine brightly
with the light of justice. Decorate it with the gold leaf of good works,
with the jewels of faithfulness and greatness of heart. Finally, to make
the house perfect, crown it with a pinnacle of prayer. Thus you will have prepared
a pure and sparkling house for the Lord. Receive the Lord into this royal
and splendid dwelling—in other words: receive, by His grace, His image
into the temple of your soul.
—Saint John Chrysostom,
bishop
Office of Readings, Friday after Ash Wednesday
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