Grace dispels the mind's darkness; Christ becomes all things to the baptized

For when grace comes and drives the darkness from the mind, we learn the truth about things, and what once terrified us becomes contemptible. We no longer fear death, because we have learned precisely from this sacred initiation that death is not death, but sleep and a temporary slumber. We do not fear poverty, or sickness, or anything else of that kind, because we know that we are traveling toward a better life, pure and incorruptible, free from every such irregularity.

Let us no longer remain gaping at the things of this life, nor at the luxury of the table, nor at the extravagance of clothing. For you have the greatest garment, you have a spiritual table, you have the glory from above, and Christ becomes everything for you: table, garment, house, head, and root. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). See how he has become your garment. Do you want to learn how he also becomes your table? “Whoever eats me,” he says, “as I live because of the Father, so he also will live because of me” (John 6:57). And that he becomes your house: “Whoever eats my flesh remains in me, and I in him” (John 6:56). And that he is the root, he says again: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). And that he is brother, and friend, and bridegroom: “No longer do I call you servants, for you are my friends” (John 15:15). And Paul again: “I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2). And again: “That he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). And we become not only his brothers, but also his children: “Behold,” he says, “I and the children whom God has given me” (Isaiah 8:18). And not only this, but also his members, and his body. For as if the things already said were not enough to show the love and goodwill he displays toward us, he added something greater and closer than all these, calling himself our head.

Knowing all these things, beloved, repay your benefactor with the best way of life, and when you consider the greatness of the sacrifice, adorn the members of your body. Consider what you receive in your hand, and never endure to strike anyone, nor disgrace the hand honored with so great a gift by the sin of a blow. Consider what you receive in your hand, and keep it pure from greed and all robbery. Reckon that you do not receive it only with your hand, but you also bring it to your mouth, and keep your tongue pure from shameful and abusive words, from blasphemy, from perjury, and from all other such things. For it is destructive to turn a tongue that serves such awe-inspiring sacred rites, that has been dyed red with such blood and become a golden sword, to use it for insults, abuse, and coarse jesting. Respect the honor with which God has honored it, and do not drag it down into the cheapness of sin. But consider again that after the hand and the tongue, the heart receives that awe-inspiring mystery, and never stitch up deceit against your neighbor, but keep your mind pure from all wickedness. In this way you will also be able to guard your eyes and your hearing. For how is it not absurd, after that mystical voice that comes from heaven—I mean the voice of the Cherubim—to defile your hearing with pornographic songs and effeminate melodies? And how is it not worthy of the utmost punishment, with the eyes with which you see the ineffable and awe-inspiring sacred rites, to look at prostitutes with those same eyes and commit adultery in your mind? You have been invited to a wedding, beloved. Do not enter wearing filthy clothes, but take a garment suited to the wedding.