31 May 2023
The Church of Christ is One, Holy, Universal and Apostolic. She is
herself a single spiritual body, whose head is Christ, and who has the one Holy
Spirit abiding in her. The local parts of the Church are members of a single
body of the Universal Church, and they, like branches of a single tree, are
nourished by one and same sap from a single root. She is called holy because
she is sanctified by the holy word, deeds, sacrifice and suffering of her
founder, Jesus Christ, to which end He came in order to save human beings and
lead them to holiness. The Church is called universal because she is not
confined by place, not by time, nor by nation nor language.
Saint Nicholas of Serbia
Christ Crucified
30 May 2023
True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified… No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to him in repentance. Ignorance has been destroyed, obstinacy has been overcome. The sacred blood of Christ has quenched the flaming sword that barred access to the tree of life. The age-old night of sin has given place to the true light. The Christian people are invited to share the riches of paradise.
Saint Leo the Great
True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified… No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to him in repentance. Ignorance has been destroyed, obstinacy has been overcome. The sacred blood of Christ has quenched the flaming sword that barred access to the tree of life. The age-old night of sin has given place to the true light. The Christian people are invited to share the riches of paradise.
Saint Leo the Great
On Temptations
29 May 2023
Without temptations, it is not possible to learn the wisdom of the Spirit. It is not possible that Divine love be strengthened in your soul. Before temptations, a man prays to God as a stranger. When temptations are allowed to come by the love of God, and he does not give in to them, then he stands before God as a sincere friend. For in fulfilling the will of God, he has made war on the enemy of God and conquered him.
Isaac of Nineveh
Without temptations, it is not possible to learn the wisdom of the Spirit. It is not possible that Divine love be strengthened in your soul. Before temptations, a man prays to God as a stranger. When temptations are allowed to come by the love of God, and he does not give in to them, then he stands before God as a sincere friend. For in fulfilling the will of God, he has made war on the enemy of God and conquered him.
Isaac of Nineveh
Divine Love
28 May 2023
When St. John says that fear is driven out by perfect love, he points to a love that comes from God, a divine love. He does not speak about human affection, psychological compatibility, mutual attraction, or deep interpersonal feelings. All of that has its value and beauty, but the perfect love that St. John speaks embraces and transcends all feelings, emotions, and passions. The perfect love that drives out all fear is the divine love in which we are invited to participate. The home, the intimate place, the place of true belonging, is, therefore, not a place made by human hands. It is fashioned for us by God, who came to pitch his tent among us, invite us to his place, and prepare a room for us in his own house.
Henry Nouwen
When St. John says that fear is driven out by perfect love, he points to a love that comes from God, a divine love. He does not speak about human affection, psychological compatibility, mutual attraction, or deep interpersonal feelings. All of that has its value and beauty, but the perfect love that St. John speaks embraces and transcends all feelings, emotions, and passions. The perfect love that drives out all fear is the divine love in which we are invited to participate. The home, the intimate place, the place of true belonging, is, therefore, not a place made by human hands. It is fashioned for us by God, who came to pitch his tent among us, invite us to his place, and prepare a room for us in his own house.
Henry Nouwen
Miracles
27 May 2023
God gives you the power to perform miracles by touching
the hearts of those entrusted to your care. This is the greatest miracle you
can perform and one which God expects of you. Frequently ask him for the grace
to touch hearts.
Saint John
Baptiste de la Salle
The Holy Spirit
26 May 2023
God didn't give people the Holy Spirit in order to let them enjoy the spiritual equivalent of a day in Disneyland. [...] But the point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into the world the news that he is Lord, that he has won the victory over the forces of evil, that new world has opened up, and that we are to help make it happen.
N.T. Wright
God didn't give people the Holy Spirit in order to let them enjoy the spiritual equivalent of a day in Disneyland. [...] But the point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into the world the news that he is Lord, that he has won the victory over the forces of evil, that new world has opened up, and that we are to help make it happen.
N.T. Wright
Good Works
25 May 2023
Our actions have a tongue of their own; they have an eloquence of their own, even when the tongue is silent. For deeds prove the lover more than words.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Our actions have a tongue of their own; they have an eloquence of their own, even when the tongue is silent. For deeds prove the lover more than words.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Self Examination
24 May 2023
Let every Christian scrutinize himself, and search severely into his inmost heart: let him see that no discord cling there, no wrong desire be harbored.
Saint Leo the Great
Let every Christian scrutinize himself, and search severely into his inmost heart: let him see that no discord cling there, no wrong desire be harbored.
Saint Leo the Great
God
23 May 2023
God the Father is a deep root, the Son is the shoot that breaks forth into the world, and the Spirit is that which spreads beauty and fragrance.
Tertullian (c.160 – 225)
God the Father is a deep root, the Son is the shoot that breaks forth into the world, and the Spirit is that which spreads beauty and fragrance.
Tertullian (c.160 – 225)
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
22 May 2023
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are touched upon in the Lord’s Prayer. Those gifts are not had except from the Father of lights. For that reason Christ, wanting to teach us in what manner we can obtain them, teaches us to ask for them in the Lord’s Prayer. In the first part the gift of fear is asked for, when He says: “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” Secondly piety is asked for, when He says: “May Thy Kingdom come.” Third the gift of knowledge is asked for, when He says: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Fourth the gift of fortitude is asked for, when He says: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread strengthens the heart of a man. Fifth the gift of counsel is asked for, when He says: “And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” Sixth the gift of understanding is asked for, when He says: “And put us not to the test.” Seventh the gift of wisdom is asked for, when He says: “But free us from evil. Amen.”
Saint Bonaventure
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are touched upon in the Lord’s Prayer. Those gifts are not had except from the Father of lights. For that reason Christ, wanting to teach us in what manner we can obtain them, teaches us to ask for them in the Lord’s Prayer. In the first part the gift of fear is asked for, when He says: “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” Secondly piety is asked for, when He says: “May Thy Kingdom come.” Third the gift of knowledge is asked for, when He says: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Fourth the gift of fortitude is asked for, when He says: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread strengthens the heart of a man. Fifth the gift of counsel is asked for, when He says: “And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” Sixth the gift of understanding is asked for, when He says: “And put us not to the test.” Seventh the gift of wisdom is asked for, when He says: “But free us from evil. Amen.”
Saint Bonaventure
Amen
21 May 2023
Amen. It is indeed one of the most important words in the world, for it expresses the agreement of the Church to follow Christ in His ascension to His Father, to make this ascension the destiny of Man. It is Christ's gift to us, for only in Him can we say Amen to God, or rather He himself is our Amen to God and the Church is an Amen to Christ. Upon this Amen the fate of the human race is decided. It reveals that the movement toward God has begun.
Alexander Schmemann
Amen. It is indeed one of the most important words in the world, for it expresses the agreement of the Church to follow Christ in His ascension to His Father, to make this ascension the destiny of Man. It is Christ's gift to us, for only in Him can we say Amen to God, or rather He himself is our Amen to God and the Church is an Amen to Christ. Upon this Amen the fate of the human race is decided. It reveals that the movement toward God has begun.
Alexander Schmemann
On Holy Scripture
20 May 2023
In the Holy Scriptures we see God face to face, and ourselves as we are.
Saint John of Kronstadt
In the Holy Scriptures we see God face to face, and ourselves as we are.
Saint John of Kronstadt
The Heart
19 May 2023
As scripture says, “Where your heart is, there also is your treasure” [Mt. 6:21]; and surely, wherever a person’s heart is given, wherever their deepest desire draws them, this is indeed their god. If a man’s heart always longs for God, then God will surely be the Lord of the heart.
Saint Macarius the Great
As scripture says, “Where your heart is, there also is your treasure” [Mt. 6:21]; and surely, wherever a person’s heart is given, wherever their deepest desire draws them, this is indeed their god. If a man’s heart always longs for God, then God will surely be the Lord of the heart.
Saint Macarius the Great
Christ's Ascension
18 May 2023
So the ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone away. Quite the opposite. He is with us now even more powerfully than when men saw Him. We live, then, in the presence of our ascended, ever-present Lord. Because He is with us, we cannot be destroyed. Jesus has made the way to victory for us. He leads us that way, gives us strength and courage for it, and finally brings us to the bright cloud of heaven. We go on, then, from the ascension as did the first disciples “with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
Norman Nagel
So the ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone away. Quite the opposite. He is with us now even more powerfully than when men saw Him. We live, then, in the presence of our ascended, ever-present Lord. Because He is with us, we cannot be destroyed. Jesus has made the way to victory for us. He leads us that way, gives us strength and courage for it, and finally brings us to the bright cloud of heaven. We go on, then, from the ascension as did the first disciples “with great joy” (Luke 24:52).
Norman Nagel
The Psalters
17 May 2023
David did not pray out of the personal exuberance of his heart, but out of the Christ who dwelled in him. To be sure, the one who prays his Psalms remains himself. But in him and through him it is Christ who prays.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
David did not pray out of the personal exuberance of his heart, but out of the Christ who dwelled in him. To be sure, the one who prays his Psalms remains himself. But in him and through him it is Christ who prays.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Speech
16 May 2023
Let the meaning of your words shine forth, let it blaze out from them. Let no word escape your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning.
Saint Ambrose of Milan
Let the meaning of your words shine forth, let it blaze out from them. Let no word escape your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning.
Saint Ambrose of Milan
On Suffering
15 May 2023
No matter what kind of bitterness befalls you, no matter what unpleasantness happens to you, say, "I will endure this for Jesus Christ!" Just say this and it will be easier for you. For the name of Jesus Christ is powerful - in His presence all unpleasant events are quelled, demons vanish, your annoyance will abate and your faintheartedness will be set at ease when you repeat his sweetest name.
Elder Anthony of Optina
No matter what kind of bitterness befalls you, no matter what unpleasantness happens to you, say, "I will endure this for Jesus Christ!" Just say this and it will be easier for you. For the name of Jesus Christ is powerful - in His presence all unpleasant events are quelled, demons vanish, your annoyance will abate and your faintheartedness will be set at ease when you repeat his sweetest name.
Elder Anthony of Optina
Touch God
13 May 2023
To touch God a little with our mind is a great blessing, to grasp him is impossible.
Saint Augustine
To touch God a little with our mind is a great blessing, to grasp him is impossible.
Saint Augustine
On Tolerance
12 May 2023
Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience towards evil and a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. But what is more important than the definition is the field of its application. The important point here is this: Tolerance applies only to persons but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth but never to persons. Tolerance applies to the erring; intolerance to the error.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience towards evil and a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. But what is more important than the definition is the field of its application. The important point here is this: Tolerance applies only to persons but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth but never to persons. Tolerance applies to the erring; intolerance to the error.
Blessed Fulton Sheen
The Eucharist
11 May 2023
For our sakes Christ became bread and wine, food and drink. This Bread gives us solid and substantial strength. This Wine bestows courage, joy out of all earthly measure, sweetness, beauty, limitless enlargement and perception. It brings life in intoxicating excess, both to possess and to impart.
Romano Guardini
For our sakes Christ became bread and wine, food and drink. This Bread gives us solid and substantial strength. This Wine bestows courage, joy out of all earthly measure, sweetness, beauty, limitless enlargement and perception. It brings life in intoxicating excess, both to possess and to impart.
Romano Guardini
Acquiring Hulmility
8 May 2023
Here is one of the best means to acquire humility; fix well in mind this
maxim: One is as much as he is in the sight of God, and no more.
Saint Francis of Assisi
God Alone
7 May 2023
But there is another reason why God alone is the happiness of our souls, to which I wish rather to direct attention: The contemplation of Him, and nothing but it, is able fully to open and relieve the mind, to unlock, occupy, and fix our affections.
Blessed John Henry Newman
But there is another reason why God alone is the happiness of our souls, to which I wish rather to direct attention: The contemplation of Him, and nothing but it, is able fully to open and relieve the mind, to unlock, occupy, and fix our affections.
Blessed John Henry Newman
In God's Hand
5 May 2023
In the hands of God the soul must become like clay in the hands of the potter, who from it can form any sort of dish; or, if you like, the soul must become like soft wax receptive to the impression of the seal, or like a blank sheet upon which the Holy Spirit writes His divine will.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
In the hands of God the soul must become like clay in the hands of the potter, who from it can form any sort of dish; or, if you like, the soul must become like soft wax receptive to the impression of the seal, or like a blank sheet upon which the Holy Spirit writes His divine will.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
Always Have Joy
4 May 2023
Study always to have joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Study always to have joy, for it befits not the servant of God to show before his brother or another sadness or a troubled face.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Our Journey
3 May 2023
If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.
Thomas Aquinas
If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way.
Thomas Aquinas
On Fasting
2 May 2023
Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower.
Saint John Chrysostom
Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower.
Saint John Chrysostom
God is Within
1 May 2023
Where so ever you are, where so ever you may be praying, God who hears you is within you, hidden within, or God who hears you is not merely by your side, and you have no need to go wandering about, no need to be reaching out to God as though you would touch him with your hands.
Saint Augustine
Where so ever you are, where so ever you may be praying, God who hears you is within you, hidden within, or God who hears you is not merely by your side, and you have no need to go wandering about, no need to be reaching out to God as though you would touch him with your hands.
Saint Augustine
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