Prepare your work outside, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
Read Chapter 24
Abba Besa
AD 379
It is a day of shouting and the trumpet. It is a day of grief and sighing for those who have not prepared their works well for the way, which means for their departure out of the body, so that they might meet God profitably. Sermon , On the Punishment of Sinners
The sacred Scripture has somewhere said, “Prepare your works for your departure, and make yourself ready for the field.” Now by our departure I imagine is meant our going from this world and removal from it. And this time must of course overtake every one; for, as the psalmist says, “What man is there that shall live and not see death, and that can save his soul from the hand of hell?” For the nature of man was condemned in Adam and fell away unto corruption, because he foolishly transgressed the commandment given him. Commentary on Luke, Homily
Pit. It is difficult to overcome this passion, when once it has got possession of the heart. We must therefore watch over it, and consecrate it invariably to wisdom, ver. 26.
Therefore he who values the security of his soul will take care to be out of danger, by keeping free from sin, that so he may preserve the advantage of his former good works to himself. .
