Noahs Ark

St. John Chrysostom

"Do you see how the Lord created our nature to enjoy free will? I mean, how did it happen, tell me? That while those people showed enthusiasm for wickedness, and rendered themselves liable to punishment, this man opted for virtue, shunned association with them, and thus felt no effect of punishment. Is it not crystal clear that each person chose wickedness or virtue of his own volition? You see, if that were not the case, and freedom did not have its roots in our nature, those people would not have been punished, nor would others receive reward for their virtue. Since however everything has been allowed to remain with our choice owing to grace from on high, punishment duly awaits the sinners, and reward and recompense those who practice virtue."

St. Augustine

There are parallels between the normal dimensions of a man, and that of Noah's Ark.

Length of the Ark = 300 cubits. Width = 50 cubits. Height = 30 cubits.

The Ark is the symbol of the Church. The dimensions, the dimensions of a man. "The Ark is a symbol of the City of God on its pilgrimage through history." The length of a normal body is six times the breadth from one side to the other, and ten times the thickness from back to front. The door in the side is like the hole made by the lance in the side of Christ.