Abode Quote by John of Damascus
“The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God. ... I do not worship matter. I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake, who willed to take His abode in matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. Never will I cease honoring the matter which wrought my salvation! I honor it, but not as God. Because of this I salute all remaining matter with reverence, because God has filled it with his grace and power. Through it my salvation has come to me.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: The Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, 8th century
The quote sees matter as a divine vessel, honoring its role in salvation while distinguishing it from God Himself.
In simple terms: Matter is sacred but not God; it carries divine grace.
Key Takeaway
Respect matter as a conduit of divine grace.
Themes
theology
spirituality
materialism
Mood
reverent
contemplative
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal devotion
- religious reflection
- ethical living
Key Concepts
Divine incarnation
grace
salvation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing matter as sacred affect daily choices?
- Can reverence for creation coexist with worship of the Creator?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue material reverence risks idolatry.
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
