“Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water. Lay your bed where the cat sleeps. Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm. Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit. Plant the tree where the mole digs. Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself. Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days golden grains. Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest. Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in the water. Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear. Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.”
- Saint Seraphim of Sarov
This short writing from Saint Seraphim of Sarov reminds us that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). This peace will allow our hearts and minds to be at ease through Christ Jesus; and we will be kept from sinning when we are going through tribulation; it will keep us calm and dignified, without our passions firing up, and with inward contentment at all times. Whatever it is we do, whether we are drinking from the spring, or swimming like the fish, as long as we do it with God in our minds, we shall be full of serenity.
Chrism 