~ Words of the Church Fathers ~
‘That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith’ (Eph. 3:17).
He has not Christ who only has Him on his tongue. Nor does he have Christ who only has Him on paper. Nor he who only has Him on the wall. Nor, indeed, he who has Him in a museum. He has Him in truth who has Him in his heart. For Christ is love, and the throne of love is the heart. If Christ is in your heart, then He is your God. If He is only on your tongue, or on paper, on the wall or in a museum, then, even if you call Him God, He is a plaything for you. Beware then, O man, for none can play with God with impunity!
The heart is apparently a small organ, but God can abide in it. And when God abides in it, it is filled to overflowing and nothing else can stand in it. If, however, the whole world were to dwell in it, without God, it would remain empty.
My brethren, let Christ the risen and living Lord dwell in your hearts by faith, and your hearts will be filled to overflowing. For He can in no other way abide in your hearts than by your faith. If you have no faith, Christ will remain only on your tongue or on paper, or on the wall or in the museum. What use is that to you? What use is it to you to have life on your tongue but death in your heart? For if you have the world in your heart and Christ on your lips, you have death in your heart and life on your lips. Water on the tongue is of no help to the thirsty. Let the living Christ into your heart, and your thirst will be truly quenched, and you will know unspeakable sweetness.
O risen Lord, cleanse our hearts from the deadly guests in them, and do Thou Thyself abide in them, that they may live and glorify Thee. To Thee be glory and praise for ever. Amen.
St Nikolai Velimirovic
St Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church 