enlightenment Archives • Page 2 of 2 • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:6 . . For this reason, too, you will be called the ‘newly enlightened’ because, if you wish, the light can always be new for you, and will never be extinguished. Night brings to an end the daily light of our world, whether we wish it or not, but darkness has no knowledge of that heavenly light… the earth is bright just so long as the rays of the sun endure. Not so with the soul. It is illuminated and becomes brighter when it receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Consider now the comparison more carefully. When the night comes and all is dark, one often sees a rope, but thinks it’s a snake; one flees an approaching friend thinking he is an enemy; one is greatly frightened at any noise. So it is with our soul. When divine grace comes, it drives away our darkness, and we recognise things for what they are, contemptuous of our former fears. We no longer fear death, for we have learned that death is not death, but a sleep and temporary rest. We do not fear poverty, or sickness, or any such thing because we know we are on our way to a better life, pure and incorruptible, and free from all such contingencies. . -St John Chrysostom . #light #coptic #dailyreadings #bible #orthodoxy #enlightenment

For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give …

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