ACC ~ Colossians 3 v2

THE BAPTISMAL CHARGE. CHRYSOSTOM: It was not idly or without purpose that I anticipated the event and instructed your loving assembly in all these matters, but I did so that you might be carried on by the wings of hope and enjoy the pleasure before you enjoyed the actual benefit. I did it, too, that you might adopt a purpose worthy of the rite, and as blessed Paul has exhorted, you might “mind the things that are above” and change your thoughts from earth to heaven, from visible things to those that are unseen. And we see the objects of bodily sight more clearly with the eyes of the spirit. BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 2.28.

PUT REASON IN CHARGE. GREGORY OF NYSSA: So … if reason instead assumes sway over such emotions, each of them is transmuted to a form of virtue. For anger produces courage, terror caution, fear obedience, hatred aversion from vice, the power of love the desire for what is truly beautiful. High spirit in our character raises our thought above the passions and keeps it from bondage to what is base. Indeed, even the great apostle praises such a form of mental elevation when he bids us constantly to “think those things that are above.” So we find that every such motion, when elevated by loftiness of mind, is conformed to the beauty of the divine image. ON THE MAKING OF MAN 18.5.

A MATTER OF FOCUS. BABAI: You should realize that you are walking on the edge of a sharp sword, that you are standing on the edge of a precipice with a ravine on either side. Do not let your thoughts be upset by things here on earth, but keep your mind’s gaze on “Jerusalem which is above.” “Think of what is above, and not of what is on earth.” Ensure that you let go of everything which belongs to this world. LETTER TO CYRIACUS 55.

Col