“Like Paul, we can be the Lord’s “Chosen Vessel.” We can be a container of the Gospel and an instrument of the Word but only if we have something to carry and something to use to bring others to faith in our Savior and Redeemer. So, as we study, pray, worship, and serve, let us seek, above all, to know Christ and to have eternal life in a heartfelt and faithful relationship with Him.” (Fr. Basil)
“…multiple influences…will try to mold us. Will we be humble enough and vulnerable enough to allow God to transform us? Will we have an intimate relationship with the Lord, so that we allow His hand to be on us and transform us? Ultimately we are the clay. Our hearts and souls are like the clay. The wheel is the Church. There are three potters—God, ourselves and one another. As for the clay, we have to desire to be molded into a vessel. As for the wheel, we cannot be molded into anything unless we sit on the wheel. As for the potters—We have to allow God to mold us. We also have a hand in molding our clay—it is very affected by the things we do, and where we spend our time and give our attention. Others encourage us to model our clay after God, or model it after other influences. Who is modeling you? What people? What influences?” (Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis)
“We will become “fishers of men” not according to our own will or time table, but in obedience to His. God calls some to become deacons, priests, and bishops, and some to become monks and nuns. He calls most people to other forms of ministry, which are also vital for the flourishing of the Church. We are all merely “earthen vessels,” for the point of fulfilling our vocation is not to bring glory to ourselves in anyway, but instead to glorify Christ as we strengthen His body, the Church, and draw others to the blessedness of His Kingdom. Let us all discern and pursue our callings like the apostles and saints who have gone before us. Doing so faithfully is the only way for those who bear God’s image and likeness to find the peace, joy, and strength of a Kingdom that remains not of this world.” (Fr. Philip LeMasters)
“We are appointed, we would even say ordained, in that we are each set apart through Chrismation to be the stewards and the ministers of His grace and of His truth. As St. Peter says, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Christ’s desire is to save the world through us who constitute His Church by dying to ourselves and becoming the vessels of His love and mercy to those around us. This is the ministry of the Church to the world and each of us participates in it in our own particular way.” (Denise Jillions)
“The God who is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, who gives us his divine life and peace and joy forever, is first of all the Divine Lover who wounds His beloved, and then hides from her, hoping to be sought and found. He is the Father who chastens and disciplines His children. He is the Vinekeeper who cuts and prunes His vines so that they bear much fruit. He is the Jeweler who burns His gold in His divine fire so that it would be purged of all impurities. And He is the Potter who continually smashes and refashions and re-bakes His muddy clay so that it can be the earthen vessel that He wants it to be, capable of bearing His own transcendent grace and power and glory and peace.” (Fr. Thomas Hopko)
“Although this “likeness” does not refer to the outward appearance of a person, but rather to the state of her heart and soul, still it cannot be denied that one is purified, illumined, and experiences theosis [union with God] in mind, soul, spirit, and body. This is why saints’ relics are venerated, since they are vessels of holiness, eternally connected and attached to the holy souls that dwelt within their carnal bodies.” (Constantina R. Palmer)
"It is through the saints that we can come to see that our call in Christ Jesus is real and that it is very possible for us, no matter who we are and what we’ve done and where we are today, to become like they are: exceedingly precious vessels of the Holy Spirit." (Archimandrite Sergius)
“…our Lord specifically calls Peter to the apostolic ministry. Christ goes out of His way to select a man who, by his own admission, is sinful and unworthy of so great a call! Here Christ shows His true understanding of the human condition. Were He to choose perfect and holy men, they would have little sympathy for the failings and weaknesses of others. By choosing imperfect “vessels” to carry His good news, Christ is showing that mercy and forgiveness is available to all who ask.” (Father James Gavrilos)
“The Holy Spirit is realistic about our failings. He gently points out our mistakes and sins, and helps us to change. At times He may powerfully convict us, but He never condemns us…The Holy Spirit will dwell in a vessel that is not totally clean, provided that He has been given access to the central, controlling area of human personality: the heart.” (Derek Prince)
“As believers we will face trials, but we must remember that God controls trials and uses them to strengthen His people. God’s glory is manifested through broken vessels, through people who endure troubles by relying on His power.” (Foundation Study Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:8)