On Temperance
An excerpt from the work of St. John Chrysostom

The Sower went out to sow his seed. What is the meaning of this parable? He went out to sow His seed. From where did He go out, Who is present everywhere, and fills all places? He went out, not into a place, but into a life and into a dispensation of things wherein He saved us, being brought close to us, by reason of becoming clothed in our flesh. Since we could not enter in, for our sins had shut the door to us, He came out to us. And why did He come out? Was it to destroy the earth that brought forth thorns? To punish the husbandman? No. He came to till and to take care of the earth: to sow the word of compassion. For here He calls His teaching seed; the souls of men a ploughed field; and Himself the Sower.