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
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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