Chrysostom, a great fourth-century preacher, had
this analogy for Christ’s work of intercession: A
young boy whose father had been away on a long trip
wanted to give him a present when he returned. His
mother sent him to the garden to gather a bouquet of
flowers. The boy gathered flowers as well as weeds,
but when his father returned, he received a bouquet
of beautiful flowers. The boy’s mother had
intervened, removing all the weeds.
The prayers of the church, prevailing, acceptable,
and fruitful as they are, are not a thing of beauty
as they leave the lips of saints. But as they start
their way heavenward, they are a mixed bag of weeds
with a few stray flowers. When they arrive,
however, thanks to the intercession of Christ, they
are nothing but beautiful flowers.