We don’t offer animals on altars, but the Christian life is more sacrificial than the ancient Jews’, not less. For us, the world is a temple, our lives a continuous offering, our actions moments of a daily liturgy. Paul’s rapid-fire series of instructions in today’s New . . . . Continue Reading »
Thomas ( ST II-II, 2, 7) argues that every saved person, including Adam, had explicit knowledge of the incarnation of Christ: “the object of faith includes, properly and directly, that thing through which man obtains beatitude. Now the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation and Passion is the . . . . Continue Reading »
John 1:14: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God doesn’t need the incarnation any more than He needs the world. He would be the same infinitely joyful, infinitely lively and infinitely satisfied God if we had never existed and if Jesus had never been born. God doesn’t need the . . . . Continue Reading »
Nyssa: “Do you see the circle of glory among those who are alike? The Son is glorified by the Spirit; the Father is glorified by the Son; again the Son has his glory from the Father and the only-begotten thus becomes the glory of the Spirit. For with what shall the Father be glorified but . . . . Continue Reading »
Deuteronomy 10:18: The Lord executes justice for the orphan and widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. As Pastor Sumpter said in his sermon, the city of God is a city of love, and it’s no accident that the central ritual act in this city is a common meal. For . . . . Continue Reading »
Song of Songs 8:14: Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices. John came to announce the imminent Advent of the Bridegroom. Jesus came to promise He would come again through His Spirit, who readies the Queen for yet another Advent of the Bridegroom. As . . . . Continue Reading »
Singing is the primary expressions of joy in the Bible. Women greet David with singing, dancing, and tambourines when he returns from killing Goliath. Singers and musicians parade with Solomon to his coronation. Israel rejoices when Yahweh descends to the temple, and they sing. When God comes to . . . . Continue Reading »
1 Thessalonians 2:19: What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? Advent celebrates the coming of the Son of God in flesh two millennia ago. But this season is not merely a celebration of a past event, however. It is a . . . . Continue Reading »
Psalm 42:5: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42 is a lament. The Psalmist is a deer in the wilderness panting for God. He is separated from God and wonders if he will ever be in . . . . Continue Reading »
Trent states: “Whosoever affirms that new-born infants are not to be baptized, even though they are the children of baptized parents, or says that they are indeed baptized for the remission of sins, but derive no original sin from Adam, which requires to be expiated by the laver of . . . . Continue Reading »
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