4 April 2025
The end draws near, O my soul, the end draws near. Yet thou dost not
care or make ready. The days of our lives pass swiftly, as dream, as a flower.
Why do we trouble ourselves in vain?
Great Cannon of St. Andrew
of Crete
The Liturgy
3 April 2025
Christian liturgy was a celebration of the presence of the living Christ. It is not the memorial meal commemorating something that happened in the past. As Augustine said on a sermon of Psalm 22, the great psalm of Christ's passion, the liturgy "makes present what took place in time past, and in this way it moves us as if we were watching our Lord hanging on the cross."
Robert Louis Wilken
Christian liturgy was a celebration of the presence of the living Christ. It is not the memorial meal commemorating something that happened in the past. As Augustine said on a sermon of Psalm 22, the great psalm of Christ's passion, the liturgy "makes present what took place in time past, and in this way it moves us as if we were watching our Lord hanging on the cross."
Robert Louis Wilken
Holy Indifference
2 April 2025
Holy indifference is a ceasing of either to desire or to will, except in cooperation with the divine leading. Its desires for itself, as it has greater light, are more completely and permanently merged in the one higher and more absorbing desire of God’s glory and the fulfillment of his will.
François Fénelon
Holy indifference is a ceasing of either to desire or to will, except in cooperation with the divine leading. Its desires for itself, as it has greater light, are more completely and permanently merged in the one higher and more absorbing desire of God’s glory and the fulfillment of his will.
François Fénelon
The spirit of Faith
1 April 2025
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
Saint Francis Xavier
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
Saint Francis Xavier
On Good Deeds
31 March 2025
The most precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who do all that they do as zealously as possible: for to do good deeds in not enough by itself; we must do them well.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
The most precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who do all that they do as zealously as possible: for to do good deeds in not enough by itself; we must do them well.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
His Presence in You
30 March 2025
When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.
Saint Francis de Sales
When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.
Saint Francis de Sales
There is One Lord
29 March 2025
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there is one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook which cannot be separated.
St. Ambrose
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there is one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook which cannot be separated.
St. Ambrose
Christ With You
28 March 2025
Place your heart gently in Our Lord’s wounds. Have great confidence in His mercy for He will never abandon you.
Saint Pio
Place your heart gently in Our Lord’s wounds. Have great confidence in His mercy for He will never abandon you.
Saint Pio
A Beautiful Paradox of Divine Love
27 March 2025
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting
Blessed Fulton Sheen
By a beautiful paradox of Divine love, God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life. We have slain Him; we have nailed Him there and crucified Him; but the Love in His eternal heart could not be extinguished. He willed to give us the very life we slew; to give us the very Food we destroyed; to nourish us with the very Bread we buried, and the very Blood we poured forth. He made our very crime into a happy fault; He turned a Crucifixion into a Redemption; a Consecration into a Communion; a death into Life Everlasting
Blessed Fulton Sheen
The Source of All Grace
26 March 2025
The source of all grace is God’s love for us, and he has revealed this not just in words but also in deeds.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
The source of all grace is God’s love for us, and he has revealed this not just in words but also in deeds.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Our Own Need for God
25 March 2025
Out of this grows the love of our neighbors, for we now esteem them, and no longer judge them as we used to do, when we looked upon ourselves as exceedingly fervent, and upon others as not. Now we see nothing but our own need for God, which we keep so constantly before our eyes that we can look upon nothing else.
Saint John of the Cross
Out of this grows the love of our neighbors, for we now esteem them, and no longer judge them as we used to do, when we looked upon ourselves as exceedingly fervent, and upon others as not. Now we see nothing but our own need for God, which we keep so constantly before our eyes that we can look upon nothing else.
Saint John of the Cross
God's Mercy
24 March 2025
If we stop to think how great is the mercy of God, we would never cease doing all the good we can, for while we on our side, for love of him, give to the poor what he gives us he promises us a hundred fold in Heavenly glory.
Saint John of God
If we stop to think how great is the mercy of God, we would never cease doing all the good we can, for while we on our side, for love of him, give to the poor what he gives us he promises us a hundred fold in Heavenly glory.
Saint John of God
On Morning Prayer
23 March 2025
The essence of morning prayer is to thank God for sleep, rest and regained strength and to pray that He will help us do everything to His glory. Express this to Him with your mind and with your whole heart.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
The essence of morning prayer is to thank God for sleep, rest and regained strength and to pray that He will help us do everything to His glory. Express this to Him with your mind and with your whole heart.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
Draw Near to God
22 March 2025
Both Holy Scriptures and personal experience testify that, in order to draw near to God, it is necessary for the sinner to suffer, weep, shed tears, and convert his deceitful heart.
Saint John of Kronstadt
Both Holy Scriptures and personal experience testify that, in order to draw near to God, it is necessary for the sinner to suffer, weep, shed tears, and convert his deceitful heart.
Saint John of Kronstadt
God's Infinite Mercy
21 March 2025
What God asks of us and offers us is simply to receive his infinite mercy. That God loves us is a reality sometimes hard to comprehend. But when we discover that his love is forgiveness above all else, our hearts find peace and are even transformed.
Brother Roger of Taize
What God asks of us and offers us is simply to receive his infinite mercy. That God loves us is a reality sometimes hard to comprehend. But when we discover that his love is forgiveness above all else, our hearts find peace and are even transformed.
Brother Roger of Taize
The Saving Communion
20 March 2025
Inexpressibly great must be the value of our souls, since they are fed with the precious ransom of their own redemption.
Johann Gerhard
Inexpressibly great must be the value of our souls, since they are fed with the precious ransom of their own redemption.
Johann Gerhard
God With Us
19 March 2025
Don’t think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.
Thomas à Kempis
Don’t think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.
Thomas à Kempis
Through the Spirit
18 March 2025
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
Saint Basil the Great
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
Saint Basil the Great
The Holy Trinity
17 March 2025
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick
I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick
On Fasting
16 March 2025
For the honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices. […]
If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him. […]
What advantage is it, if we have gone through the fast devoid of works?
If another says, “I have fasted the whole of Lent,” you should say, “I had an enemy, but I was reconciled; I had a custom of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I have broken through this evil practice.”
St. John Chrysostom
For the honor of fasting consists not in abstinence from food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices. […]
If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him. […]
What advantage is it, if we have gone through the fast devoid of works?
If another says, “I have fasted the whole of Lent,” you should say, “I had an enemy, but I was reconciled; I had a custom of evil-speaking, but I put a stop to it; I had a custom of swearing, but I have broken through this evil practice.”
St. John Chrysostom
The Marvels of the Passion
15 March 2025
Amongst all the marvels of the passion what we should most dwell upon is the unspeakable love with which Christ suffered for us, that we may love Him more and suffer with Him more sweetly. But chiefly that we may imitate Him, and be conformed to His image.
Saint Louis de Blois
Amongst all the marvels of the passion what we should most dwell upon is the unspeakable love with which Christ suffered for us, that we may love Him more and suffer with Him more sweetly. But chiefly that we may imitate Him, and be conformed to His image.
Saint Louis de Blois
Imitate Christ’s Life
14 March 2025
We must imitate Christ’s life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
Thomas à Kempis
We must imitate Christ’s life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
Thomas à Kempis
The Spirit
13 March 2025
The spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.
Saint Basil the Great
The spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness. The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith.
Saint Basil the Great
On Righteousness
12 March 2025
We are then righteous when we confess that we are sinners, and our righteousness depends not upon our own merits, but on the mercy of God, as the Holy Scripture says, "The righteous man accuses himself when he begins to speak," and elsewhere, "Tell your sins that you may be justified." Romans 11:32 "God has shut up all under sin, that He may have mercy upon all." And the highest righteousness of man is this—whatever virtue he may be able to acquire, not to think it his own, but the gift of God.
St. Jerome
We are then righteous when we confess that we are sinners, and our righteousness depends not upon our own merits, but on the mercy of God, as the Holy Scripture says, "The righteous man accuses himself when he begins to speak," and elsewhere, "Tell your sins that you may be justified." Romans 11:32 "God has shut up all under sin, that He may have mercy upon all." And the highest righteousness of man is this—whatever virtue he may be able to acquire, not to think it his own, but the gift of God.
St. Jerome
On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins
11 March 2025
See how Job, too, confesses his sins, and says how sure he is that there is none righteous before the Lord. He is also sure of this, that 'if we say we have no sin...the truth is not in us.' While, therefore, God bestows on him His high testimony of righteousness, according to the standard of human conduct, Job himself took his measure from that rule of righteousness, which, as well as he can, he beholds in God. Knowing this is true, he goes on to say, 'How will a mortal be just before the Lord?'
St. Augustine
See how Job, too, confesses his sins, and says how sure he is that there is none righteous before the Lord. He is also sure of this, that 'if we say we have no sin...the truth is not in us.' While, therefore, God bestows on him His high testimony of righteousness, according to the standard of human conduct, Job himself took his measure from that rule of righteousness, which, as well as he can, he beholds in God. Knowing this is true, he goes on to say, 'How will a mortal be just before the Lord?'
St. Augustine
A Submissive Heart
10 March 2025
The heart is where faith and righteousness is received through the Word in which God reveals and affects the person's relationship to himself. A heart submissive to God and clinging to his chosen words of grace then yearns for ongoing conformation, healing and renewal.
Jared Wicks
The heart is where faith and righteousness is received through the Word in which God reveals and affects the person's relationship to himself. A heart submissive to God and clinging to his chosen words of grace then yearns for ongoing conformation, healing and renewal.
Jared Wicks
Doing the Father's Will
9 March 2025
Jesus is not deflected at His temptation. When subsequently tempted to put on a show of power that would reveal a God who would fit our notions, Jesus resolutely refuses. He never uses His power for Himself. Jesus is the man for others. As such He had no basis for fear, for fear is self-regarding. Jesus came to do the Father’s will that was “for us and for our salvation.” It was the weight of what that involved, not fear, that brought Jesus low in Gethsemane. Yet He held to the Father’s will and went on to Calvary. There Jesus did what only He could do. He did it for us, for if we had to bear our sin’s burden that would be the end of us.
Norman Nagel
Jesus is not deflected at His temptation. When subsequently tempted to put on a show of power that would reveal a God who would fit our notions, Jesus resolutely refuses. He never uses His power for Himself. Jesus is the man for others. As such He had no basis for fear, for fear is self-regarding. Jesus came to do the Father’s will that was “for us and for our salvation.” It was the weight of what that involved, not fear, that brought Jesus low in Gethsemane. Yet He held to the Father’s will and went on to Calvary. There Jesus did what only He could do. He did it for us, for if we had to bear our sin’s burden that would be the end of us.
Norman Nagel
Our Righteousness
8 March 2025
We then say, that in many things we all of us offend, and that no man is pure from uncleanness, even though his life upon earth be but one day. Let us ask then of God mercy; which if we do, Christ will justify us; by Whom and with Whom, to God the Father, be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
We then say, that in many things we all of us offend, and that no man is pure from uncleanness, even though his life upon earth be but one day. Let us ask then of God mercy; which if we do, Christ will justify us; by Whom and with Whom, to God the Father, be praise and dominion, with the Holy Spirit, unto ages of ages. Amen.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Clothed in Righteousness
7 March 2025
The adversary has deceived me; he has stripped me of my garment and stolen it away. Because of him I remain fruitless and must go to the judgment entirely naked. May Thy mercy be for me a robe in the day of judgment!
St. Ephrem the Syrian
The adversary has deceived me; he has stripped me of my garment and stolen it away. Because of him I remain fruitless and must go to the judgment entirely naked. May Thy mercy be for me a robe in the day of judgment!
St. Ephrem the Syrian
On Music
4 March 2025
I am not satisfied with him who despised music, as all fanatics do; for music is an endowment and a gift of God, not a gift of men. It also drives away the devil and makes people cheerful; one forgets all anger, unchasteness, pride, and other vices. I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.
Martin Luther
I am not satisfied with him who despised music, as all fanatics do; for music is an endowment and a gift of God, not a gift of men. It also drives away the devil and makes people cheerful; one forgets all anger, unchasteness, pride, and other vices. I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.
Martin Luther
Live by the Spirit
2 March 2025
Your brother does not cease to be your brother because he slips or offends you; that is when he has most need of your love. Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you should not obey the sinful nature, which, when it is offended, hates and bites and devours. Rather, you should wrestle against it by the Spirit and continue loving your neighbor, although you find nothing worthy of love in him. Our righteousness is much more abundant than our sin, because the holiness and righteousness of Christ our Mediator far exceeds the sin of the whole world, and the forgiveness of sins that we have through him is so great that it easily swallows up all our sins, so long as we live by the Spirit.
Martin Luther
Your brother does not cease to be your brother because he slips or offends you; that is when he has most need of your love. Loving your neighbor as yourself means that you should not obey the sinful nature, which, when it is offended, hates and bites and devours. Rather, you should wrestle against it by the Spirit and continue loving your neighbor, although you find nothing worthy of love in him. Our righteousness is much more abundant than our sin, because the holiness and righteousness of Christ our Mediator far exceeds the sin of the whole world, and the forgiveness of sins that we have through him is so great that it easily swallows up all our sins, so long as we live by the Spirit.
Martin Luther
On Grace
26 February 2025
Only grace can change us, and grace is presence of Christ.
Dom Hugh Gilbert
Only grace can change us, and grace is presence of Christ.
Dom Hugh Gilbert
The Image and Temple of God
22 February 2025
The human race has been so created and then so redeemed that we as the image and temple of God might celebrate the praises of God. For God wills to be known and worship.
Philipp Melanchthon
The human race has been so created and then so redeemed that we as the image and temple of God might celebrate the praises of God. For God wills to be known and worship.
Philipp Melanchthon
On the Liturgy
26 January 2025
The primary and exclusive aim of the liturgy is not the expression of the individual's reverence and worship for God. It is not even concerned with the awakening, formation, and sanctification of the individual soul as such. Nor does the onus of liturgical action and prayer rest with the individual. It does not even rest with the collective groups, composed of numerous individuals, who periodically achieve a limited and intermittent unity in their capacity as the congregation of a church. The liturgical entity consists rather of the united body of the faithful as such-- the Church--a body which infinitely outnumbers the mere congregation.
Romano Gardini
The primary and exclusive aim of the liturgy is not the expression of the individual's reverence and worship for God. It is not even concerned with the awakening, formation, and sanctification of the individual soul as such. Nor does the onus of liturgical action and prayer rest with the individual. It does not even rest with the collective groups, composed of numerous individuals, who periodically achieve a limited and intermittent unity in their capacity as the congregation of a church. The liturgical entity consists rather of the united body of the faithful as such-- the Church--a body which infinitely outnumbers the mere congregation.
Romano Gardini
A Unity of Outlook
25 January 2025
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there was one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook cannot be separate.
St. Ambrose of Milan
There is one work because there is one mystery, there is one baptism because there was one death for the world. There is a unity of outlook cannot be separate.
St. Ambrose of Milan
On Forgiveness
24 January 2025
Forgiveness is not the comfortable, often somewhat superior, "I forgive you" that comes so easily to human lips when emotions are cooled. Things are then smoothed over but the resentment descendants into the unconscious together with a hidden condition that the "forgiven" injury shall not be repeated. The ultimate experience of forgiveness brings a change of heart, a mentanoia of the spirit, after which every seeming injury, injustice, rejection, past, present, future, every so-called blow of fate, becomes, as it were, a essential note in the music of God, however discontent it may sound to our superficial hearing. And the experience excludes nothing -- which means that in this moment of forgiveness all one's sins and weaknesses are included, being at the same time remembered and known as the essential darkness which has revealed to us the light.
Helen M. Luke
Forgiveness is not the comfortable, often somewhat superior, "I forgive you" that comes so easily to human lips when emotions are cooled. Things are then smoothed over but the resentment descendants into the unconscious together with a hidden condition that the "forgiven" injury shall not be repeated. The ultimate experience of forgiveness brings a change of heart, a mentanoia of the spirit, after which every seeming injury, injustice, rejection, past, present, future, every so-called blow of fate, becomes, as it were, a essential note in the music of God, however discontent it may sound to our superficial hearing. And the experience excludes nothing -- which means that in this moment of forgiveness all one's sins and weaknesses are included, being at the same time remembered and known as the essential darkness which has revealed to us the light.
Helen M. Luke
On Holy Scripture
22 January 2025
Let us draw from the fountain of the perpetual garden and the purest waters springing into life eternal. Here let us luxuriate; here let us revel without ever being satisfied, for the Scriptures possess inexhaustible grace.
St. John of Damascus
Let us draw from the fountain of the perpetual garden and the purest waters springing into life eternal. Here let us luxuriate; here let us revel without ever being satisfied, for the Scriptures possess inexhaustible grace.
St. John of Damascus
Concerning Baptism
21 January 2025
How great is the grace in water, where God and His anointed are present, for the ratification of Baptism! Christ is never apart from water: for even He Himself is baptized with water; when invited to a wedding He inaugurates with water the earliest trials of His power; when He speaks he invites them "that thirst" to His "everlasting water "; when He teaches about love, He commends the offering of "a cup of water" to a destitute person among the works of love; at a well He recovers His strength, "on water He walks," He crosses the water with delight, with water He serves His disciples. The evidence of Baptism continues right to the time of His passion; when He is given over to the cross, water interposes; Pilate's hands know this; when He is wounded, water breaks forth from His side; the soldier's spear knows it.
Tertullian
How great is the grace in water, where God and His anointed are present, for the ratification of Baptism! Christ is never apart from water: for even He Himself is baptized with water; when invited to a wedding He inaugurates with water the earliest trials of His power; when He speaks he invites them "that thirst" to His "everlasting water "; when He teaches about love, He commends the offering of "a cup of water" to a destitute person among the works of love; at a well He recovers His strength, "on water He walks," He crosses the water with delight, with water He serves His disciples. The evidence of Baptism continues right to the time of His passion; when He is given over to the cross, water interposes; Pilate's hands know this; when He is wounded, water breaks forth from His side; the soldier's spear knows it.
Tertullian
Unjust Laws Exist
20 January 2025
... that which is not just seems to be no law at all.
St Augustine
... that which is not just seems to be no law at all.
St Augustine
Christians
19 January 2025
Those who believe in the Lord received a new title; they are not called after Abraham or Israel or Judah but a name after the master, Christ. For they are called Christians by everyone, since they have put on Christ through the most Holy Baptism.
Theodoret of cyr
Those who believe in the Lord received a new title; they are not called after Abraham or Israel or Judah but a name after the master, Christ. For they are called Christians by everyone, since they have put on Christ through the most Holy Baptism.
Theodoret of cyr
Praying the Psalms
18 January 2025
The Church indeed likes what is old, not because it is old but rather because it is ‘young.’ In the Psalms, we drink divine praise at its pure and stainless source, in all its primitive sincerity and perfection. We return the youthful strength and directness with which the ancient psalmists voiced their adoration of the God of Israel. Their adoration was intensified by the ineffable accents of new discovery: for the Psalms are the songs of men who knew who God was. If we are to pray well, we too must discover the Lord to whom we speak, and if we use the Psalms in our prayer we will stand a better chance of sharing in the discovery which lies hidden in their words for all generations.
Thomas Merton
The Church indeed likes what is old, not because it is old but rather because it is ‘young.’ In the Psalms, we drink divine praise at its pure and stainless source, in all its primitive sincerity and perfection. We return the youthful strength and directness with which the ancient psalmists voiced their adoration of the God of Israel. Their adoration was intensified by the ineffable accents of new discovery: for the Psalms are the songs of men who knew who God was. If we are to pray well, we too must discover the Lord to whom we speak, and if we use the Psalms in our prayer we will stand a better chance of sharing in the discovery which lies hidden in their words for all generations.
Thomas Merton
Dominion of the Love of God
17 January 2025
Divine love makes its abode in the most high and sublime region of the soul, where it offers sacrifice and holocausts to the divinity as Abraham did, and as our Saviour sacrificed himself upon the top of Calvary, to the end that from so exalted a place it may be heard and obeyed by its people, that is, by all the faculties and affections of the soul. These he governs with an incomparable sweetness, for love has no convicts or slaves, but brings all things under its obedience with a force so delightful, that as nothing is so strong as love nothing also is so sweet as its strength.
St. Francis de Sales
Divine love makes its abode in the most high and sublime region of the soul, where it offers sacrifice and holocausts to the divinity as Abraham did, and as our Saviour sacrificed himself upon the top of Calvary, to the end that from so exalted a place it may be heard and obeyed by its people, that is, by all the faculties and affections of the soul. These he governs with an incomparable sweetness, for love has no convicts or slaves, but brings all things under its obedience with a force so delightful, that as nothing is so strong as love nothing also is so sweet as its strength.
St. Francis de Sales
John 6:51
16 January 2025
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:51
In brief, Christ uses two words here: He speaks of “My flesh.” He does not talk like the spirits who flit to and fro, but He chooses the word, “My,” asserting that it is His true flesh and blood which He shows them and holds under their noses to gladden them. He is not talking about the flesh of Adam or John the Baptist or an angel of the Virgin Mary or an animal, but He says “My flesh.” The word “My” is definitive and determines the distinction. He wants to say: “I am placing flesh and blood before you; eat and drink it, that is, believe it. [For here the term ‘to eat’ signifies to believe.] If you touch my flesh, you are not touching simple flesh and blood; you are eating and drinking flesh and blood which makes you divine. It does not make you flesh and blood, but it has the nature and strength of God.”
Martin Luther
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:51
In brief, Christ uses two words here: He speaks of “My flesh.” He does not talk like the spirits who flit to and fro, but He chooses the word, “My,” asserting that it is His true flesh and blood which He shows them and holds under their noses to gladden them. He is not talking about the flesh of Adam or John the Baptist or an angel of the Virgin Mary or an animal, but He says “My flesh.” The word “My” is definitive and determines the distinction. He wants to say: “I am placing flesh and blood before you; eat and drink it, that is, believe it. [For here the term ‘to eat’ signifies to believe.] If you touch my flesh, you are not touching simple flesh and blood; you are eating and drinking flesh and blood which makes you divine. It does not make you flesh and blood, but it has the nature and strength of God.”
Martin Luther
On the Body and Blood of Christ
15 January 2025
If Christ can change water into wine, can He not change wine into His own Blood?
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
If Christ can change water into wine, can He not change wine into His own Blood?
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
On Idols and Wonder
14 January 2025
Concepts creates idols; only wonder comprehend anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonders makes us fall to our knees.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Concepts creates idols; only wonder comprehend anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonders makes us fall to our knees.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Gifts
13 January 2025
Wages cannot be considered as a gift, because they are due to work, but God has given free grace to all people by justification of faith.
Hilary Bishop of Poitiers
Wages cannot be considered as a gift, because they are due to work, but God has given free grace to all people by justification of faith.
Hilary Bishop of Poitiers
Sacramental Union
12 January 2025
In Baptism the Eucharist begins, and in the Eucharist Baptism is sustained. From this premier sacramental union flows all the Church’s life.
Aidan Kavanagh
In Baptism the Eucharist begins, and in the Eucharist Baptism is sustained. From this premier sacramental union flows all the Church’s life.
Aidan Kavanagh
As Death Approaches and the Will of God
11 January 2025
However innocent your life may have been, no Christian ought to venture to die in any other state than that of the penitent.
Saint Augustine
However innocent your life may have been, no Christian ought to venture to die in any other state than that of the penitent.
Saint Augustine
The Three Kings
10 January 2025
“Who knocks tonight so late?” the weary porter said. Three kings stood at the gate, each with a crown on head. The serving man bowed down, the Inn was full, he knew. Said he, “In all this town is no fit place for you.” A light the manger lit; there lay the Mother meek. Said they, “This place is fit. Here is the rest we seek.” Come, come. They loosed their latchet strings, so stood they all unshod. “Come in, come in, ye kings, and kiss the feet of God.”
Laurence Housman
“Who knocks tonight so late?” the weary porter said. Three kings stood at the gate, each with a crown on head. The serving man bowed down, the Inn was full, he knew. Said he, “In all this town is no fit place for you.” A light the manger lit; there lay the Mother meek. Said they, “This place is fit. Here is the rest we seek.” Come, come. They loosed their latchet strings, so stood they all unshod. “Come in, come in, ye kings, and kiss the feet of God.”
Laurence Housman
Loving God
8 January 2025
The reason for loving God is God Himself. As to how He is to be loved, there is only one measure: It is immeasurable!
Bernard of Clairvaux
The reason for loving God is God Himself. As to how He is to be loved, there is only one measure: It is immeasurable!
Bernard of Clairvaux
Home
7 January 2025
Home is the place where habits are formed. Home is the place where the foundations of character are laid. Home gives the bias to our tastes, likings, and opinions. See then, I pray you, that there be careful training at home.
J. C. Ryle
Home is the place where habits are formed. Home is the place where the foundations of character are laid. Home gives the bias to our tastes, likings, and opinions. See then, I pray you, that there be careful training at home.
J. C. Ryle
Mother of God
6 January 2025
And Mary was called the Mother of God by His Son in the flesh, Who was undivided from the glory of His Divinity. For one is God, Who has appeared to the world in the flesh.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
And Mary was called the Mother of God by His Son in the flesh, Who was undivided from the glory of His Divinity. For one is God, Who has appeared to the world in the flesh.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
Epiphany
5 January 2025
The Church rejoices on Epiphany at the way God threw open the door of His grace to Gentiles, to non-Jews, as the Magi are traditionally regarded. For the Christ Child is King of all people, not just God’s ancient people! He is God come in the flesh to battle the enemies of the entire human race. The sacrifice He will offer is in exchange for every human. When the Magi kneel before Him in worship, they are but the very first of countless non-Jews who will fall before Him century after century. Did they have the experience so many have had in all those years? That while they offered Him gifts, the feeling that the gift exchange was all backward? He had come to offer them and us the true and lasting gifts: His embrace, His welcome, His forgiveness and love. Here is the light that shines more brightly than the miraculous star. Here is the light of divine love shining from the face of Mary’s Son.
Will Weedon
The Church rejoices on Epiphany at the way God threw open the door of His grace to Gentiles, to non-Jews, as the Magi are traditionally regarded. For the Christ Child is King of all people, not just God’s ancient people! He is God come in the flesh to battle the enemies of the entire human race. The sacrifice He will offer is in exchange for every human. When the Magi kneel before Him in worship, they are but the very first of countless non-Jews who will fall before Him century after century. Did they have the experience so many have had in all those years? That while they offered Him gifts, the feeling that the gift exchange was all backward? He had come to offer them and us the true and lasting gifts: His embrace, His welcome, His forgiveness and love. Here is the light that shines more brightly than the miraculous star. Here is the light of divine love shining from the face of Mary’s Son.
Will Weedon
Divine Accomplishment
3 January 2025
Since, of course, when divine generation was dealt with above, it was said of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, that some things belong to Him in His divine nature, and some in that human nature by the assumption of which in time the eternal Son chose to be incarnate, it now remains to speak of the mystery of the Incarnation itself. Indeed, among divine works, this most especially exceeds the reason: for nothing can be thought of which is more marvelous than this divine accomplishment: that the true God, the Son of God, should become true man.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Since, of course, when divine generation was dealt with above, it was said of the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, that some things belong to Him in His divine nature, and some in that human nature by the assumption of which in time the eternal Son chose to be incarnate, it now remains to speak of the mystery of the Incarnation itself. Indeed, among divine works, this most especially exceeds the reason: for nothing can be thought of which is more marvelous than this divine accomplishment: that the true God, the Son of God, should become true man.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Sin, Grace, and the New Self
2 January 2025
You carry, then, no debt of sin over from the old into the new year, but only the grace and goodwill of God in Christ.
Nils Laache
You carry, then, no debt of sin over from the old into the new year, but only the grace and goodwill of God in Christ.
Nils Laache
The Holy Church
1 January 2025
He calls the holy church “a lamp stand.” By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge.
Origen of Alexandria
He calls the holy church “a lamp stand.” By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge.
Origen of Alexandria
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