Make a perfect dwelling place for the Lord

A thought for the day from today's Office of Readings. This is from a homily by St. John Chrysostom:


Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your hosue with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord. You will be able to receive him as in a splendid palace, and through his grace you will already possess him, his image enthroned in the temple of your spirit.