When you have to listen to abuse, that means you are being buffeted by the wind. When your anger is aroused, you are being tossed by the waves. So when the winds blow and the waves mount high, the boat is in danger, your heart is imperiled, your heart is taking a battering. On hearing yourself insulted, you long to retaliate; but the joy of revenge brings with it another kind of misfortune shipwreck.
Why is this? Because Christ is asleep in you. What do I mean? I mean you have forgotten his presence.
Rouse him, then; remember him, let him keep watch within you, pay heed to him … A temptation arises: it is the wind. It disturbs you: it is the surging of the sea. This is the moment to awaken Christ and let him remind you of these words: “Who can this be? Even the winds and the sea obey him.”
- Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Mark
March 25, 2010
Random Thoughts
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment