Behold a most excellent train of thought! He bids us indeed to long for the things to come, and hasten towards that sojourn.

And, till that may be, for as long as we abide here, he bids us to be earnest in showing forth the same way of life as that which is lived those who are above. For you must long, He says, for heaven, and the things in heaven.

However, even before heaven, He hath bidden us make the earth a heaven and do and say all things, even while we continue to live on earth, as having our conversation in heaven. Insomuch that these too should be objects of our prayer to the Lord.

For there is nothing to hinder our reaching the perfection of the powers above, because we inhabit the earth. But it is possible even while abiding here, to do all, as though already placed on high.

What He says therefore is this: “As there all things are done without hindrance, and the angels are not partly obedient and partly disobedient, but in all things yield and obey (for He says: Mighty in strength, performing His word [Ps. 113:20]), so vouchsafe that we men may not do Thy will by halves, but perform all things as Thou willest.”

Do you how He has taught us also to be modest, by making it clear that virtue is not of our endeavors only, but also of the grace from above?

And again, He hath enjoined each one of us, who pray, to take upon himself the care of the whole world. For He did not at all say, “Thy will be done” in me, or in us, but everywhere on the earth.

He sais this so o that error may be destroyed, and truth implanted, and all wickedness cast out, and virtue return, and no difference in this respect be henceforth between heaven and earth. “For if this come to pass,” says He, “there will be no difference between things below and above, separated as they are in nature; the earth exhibiting to us another set of angels.”

John Chrysostom (c.347-407): Homily 19,7 on St Matthew’s Gospel.