St. John Chrysostom: Repent While You Still Breathe

St. John Chrysostom addresses those burdened by sin, listing examples: the greedy are reminded of the thief on the cross, the impure of the harlot, blasphemers of the Apostle Paul before his conversion, unbelievers of the magi. He acknowledges that sin leads to despair but urges the fallen to rise, the fornicator to repent, the adulterer to amend.

He states that human repentance is small but God's love is great. As long as one breathes, even on a deathbed, one should repent. He notes many spiritual wounds but each has its remedy: the Church brings gifts of the Spirit, the multitude of martyrs and other ranks call one back to righteousness. What was wasted by sin is renewed by grace.