24 October 2019
On Living Simply
On Living Simply
If a man and a woman marry in order to be
companions on
the journey from earth to heaven, then their union will bring
great
joy to themselves and to others.― John Chrysostom
24 October 2019
On What Young Husbands Should Say to Their Wives
I have taken you in my arms, and I love you, and I prefer you to my life itself.
For the present life is nothing, and my most ardent dream is to spend it with
you in such a way that we may be assured of not being separated in the life
reserved for us... I place your love above all things, and nothing would be more
bitter or painful to me than to be of a different mind than you.
― John Chrysostom
On What Young Husbands Should Say to Their Wives
I have taken you in my arms, and I love you, and I prefer you to my life itself.
For the present life is nothing, and my most ardent dream is to spend it with
you in such a way that we may be assured of not being separated in the life
reserved for us... I place your love above all things, and nothing would be more
bitter or painful to me than to be of a different mind than you.
― John Chrysostom
17 October 2019
Turn to the Lord with a Pure Heart
May our Lord Jesus Christ, who repays most generously, reward your labour. You must
flee from evil, and drive away dangers. We and all our brothers, although unworthy, pray
constantly to God the Father and to his Son Jesus Christ, as well as to Mary the Virgin
Mother, to be with you as you seek the salvation of your souls and your bodies.
Brothers, I most strongly urge you to work for the salvation of your souls with prudence and
diligence. Death is certain, and life is short and vanishes like smoke. Therefore you must fix
your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ who so burned with love for us that he
came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sakes he suffered all the agonies of body and
mind, and did not shrink from any torment. He gave us a perfect example of patience and
love. For our part, we too must be patient when things go against us.
Put aside hatred and hostility. See to it that you refrain from harsh words. But if you do
speak them, do not be ashamed to apply the remedy from the same lips that inflicted the
wounds. In this way you will show each other mercy and not keep alive the memories of past
wrongs. Remembering grievances works great damage. It is accompanied by anger, fosters
sin, and brings a hatred for justice. It is a rusty arrow spreading poison in the soul. It
destroys virtue and is a cancer in the mind. It thwarts prayer and mangles the petitions we
make to God. It drives out love and is a nail driven into the soul, an evil that never sleeps, a
sin that never fades away, a kind of daily death.
Be lovers of peace, the most precious treasure that anyone can desire. You are already aware
that our sins drive God to anger, so you must repent of them, that God in his mercy may
spare you. What men conceal is open to God. Turn to him with a sincere heart. Live in such a
way that you bring upon yourselves the blessing of God, and that the peace of God our
Father may be with you always.
A reading from the letters of St Francis of Paola, Hermit (Letter AD 1486)
Turn to the Lord with a Pure Heart
May our Lord Jesus Christ, who repays most generously, reward your labour. You must
flee from evil, and drive away dangers. We and all our brothers, although unworthy, pray
constantly to God the Father and to his Son Jesus Christ, as well as to Mary the Virgin
Mother, to be with you as you seek the salvation of your souls and your bodies.
Brothers, I most strongly urge you to work for the salvation of your souls with prudence and
diligence. Death is certain, and life is short and vanishes like smoke. Therefore you must fix
your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ who so burned with love for us that he
came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sakes he suffered all the agonies of body and
mind, and did not shrink from any torment. He gave us a perfect example of patience and
love. For our part, we too must be patient when things go against us.
Put aside hatred and hostility. See to it that you refrain from harsh words. But if you do
speak them, do not be ashamed to apply the remedy from the same lips that inflicted the
wounds. In this way you will show each other mercy and not keep alive the memories of past
wrongs. Remembering grievances works great damage. It is accompanied by anger, fosters
sin, and brings a hatred for justice. It is a rusty arrow spreading poison in the soul. It
destroys virtue and is a cancer in the mind. It thwarts prayer and mangles the petitions we
make to God. It drives out love and is a nail driven into the soul, an evil that never sleeps, a
sin that never fades away, a kind of daily death.
Be lovers of peace, the most precious treasure that anyone can desire. You are already aware
that our sins drive God to anger, so you must repent of them, that God in his mercy may
spare you. What men conceal is open to God. Turn to him with a sincere heart. Live in such a
way that you bring upon yourselves the blessing of God, and that the peace of God our
Father may be with you always.
A reading from the letters of St Francis of Paola, Hermit (Letter AD 1486)
13
October 2019
The Surest Path
The Surest Path
The cross teaches to believe in hope when there is no hope.
The wisdom of
the cross is deeply hidden in a profound mystery. In fact, there is no other
way to heaven than taking up the cross of Christ. On the account of this we
must be aware that the active life with its good works and the contemplative
life with its speculations, do not lead us astray. Both are most attractive and
give peace of mind, but for that very reason hide real dangers, unless they are
tempered by the cross and disturbed by adversaries. The cross is the surest
path of all. Blessed is the man who understands this truth.
the cross is deeply hidden in a profound mystery. In fact, there is no other
way to heaven than taking up the cross of Christ. On the account of this we
must be aware that the active life with its good works and the contemplative
life with its speculations, do not lead us astray. Both are most attractive and
give peace of mind, but for that very reason hide real dangers, unless they are
tempered by the cross and disturbed by adversaries. The cross is the surest
path of all. Blessed is the man who understands this truth.
Martin Luther
3
October 2019
On Judging Others
Fire and water are incompatible; and so is judging others in one who
wantsOn Judging Others
to repent. If you see someone falling into sin at the very moment of his death,
even then do not judge him, because the Divine judgment is hidden from men.
Some have fallen openly into great sins, but they have done greater good deeds
in secret; so their critics were tricked, getting smoke instead of the sun".
Saint John Climacus
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