St. Asterius of Amasea is the chosen preacher for today's Lenten Office of Readings. He lived in the late fourth and early fifth century and is one of the three Cappadocian Fathers of the Church. Several of his sermons are still available and have been translated into English. The latest publication, a reprint of an earlier book, came out in 2007 and is entitled "Ancient Sermons for Modern...
The Gospel passage for today's Eucharist revisits the occasion on which the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Their request merited them the prayer we have come to know as the Lord's Prayer. The Office of Readings, taking its cue from this Gospel passage, presents us with a commentary on that prayer by St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr.
Perhaps we have become so used to...
"Brethren and friends, let us never allow ourselves to misuse what has been given us by God's gift. If we do, we shall hear Saint Peter say: Be ashamed of yourselves for holding on to what belongs to someone else. Resolve to imitate God's justice, and no one will be poor. Let us not labor to heap up and hoard riches while others remain in need." (From a sermon by St. Gregory Nazianzen)...
When we approach the readings for the Sundays of Lent, we have to shift gears a little inasmuch as these readings follow a pattern. Each of them has a separate function. The first reading from the Hebrew Scriptures relates an event from our salvation history which points us toward the Christ event. The second reading from the writings of St. Paul opens the mystery of our participation in...
During the first days of Lent when we are still filled with the fervor of the season and still firm in our resolve to continue the discipline of Lent, it is only natural that we should feel somewhat pleased with the sacrifices we are making. We might even fill the description of Little Jack Horner who concludes "what a good boy am I" in the nursery rhyme which carries his name.
The...