DIVINE OFFICE AND OFFICE OF READINGS

MARCH 8TH: The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection

From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection If our flesh is not saved, then the Lord has not redeemed us with his blood, the eucharistic chalice does not make us sharers in his blood, and the bread we break does not make us sharers in his body. There can be no blood without veins, flesh and the rest of the human substance, and this the Word of God actually became: it was with his own blood that he redeemed us. As the Apostle says: ...

MAY 7TH: The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection

From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection If our flesh is not saved, then the Lord has not redeemed us with his blood, the eucharistic chalice does not make us sharers in his blood, and the bread we break does not make us sharers in his body. There can be no blood without veins, flesh and the rest of the human substance, and this the Word of God actually became: it was with his own blood that he redeemed us. As the Apostle says: ...

MARCH 7TH: The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection

From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection If our flesh is not saved, then the Lord has not redeemed us with his blood, the eucharistic chalice does not make us sharers in his blood, and the bread we break does not make us sharers in his body. There can be no blood without veins, flesh and the rest of the human substance, and this the Word of God actually became: it was with his own blood that he redeemed us. As the Apostle says: ...

March 6th : From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop

Second Reading  From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop  The eucharist, pledge of our resurrection If our flesh is not saved, then the Lord has not redeemed us with his blood, the eucharistic chalice does not make us sharers in his blood, and the bread we break does not make us sharers in his body. There can be no blood without veins, flesh and the rest of the human substance, and this the Word of God actually became: it was with his own blood that he redeemed us. As t...

DIVINE OFFICE AND OFFICE OF READINGS (Trailer)

March 5th: From the Confessions of Saint Augustine, bishop Whoever I may be, Lord, I lie exposed to your scrutiny

Second reading From the Confessions of Saint Augustine, bishop Whoever I may be, Lord, I lie exposed to your scrutiny Lord, you know me. Let me know you. Let me come to know you even as I am known. You are the strength of my soul; enter it and make it a place suitable for your dwelling, a possession without spot or blemish. This is my hope and the reason I speak. In this hope I rejoice, when I rejoice rightly. As for the other things of this life, the less they deserve tears, the more lik...

March 4th: From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope

Second reading From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope If we have received good from the hand of the Lord, why should we not endure evil? When Paul perceived within himself the riches of internal wisdom, yet saw the corruptibility of his own body, he was led to say: We have this treasure in earthen vessels. Now in the blessed Job the earthen vessel felt the gaping sores without, while this treasure of wisdom remained whole and intact within. For outwardly his bo...

March 3rd: From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope The blameless and upright man who fears God

Second reading From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope The blameless and upright man who fears God Some men are so guileless that they do not recognize what righteousness is. But the more they forsake the innocence of true simplicity, the more they fail to rise to moral rectitude; for in not knowing how to guide their actions by right living, they are too simple to remain innocent. Hence Paul warns his disciples, saying: I want you to be wise in what is good bu...

March 2nd. From a commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Agrigentum, bishop Approach the Lord and receive his light

Second reading From a commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Agrigentum, bishop Approach the Lord and receive his light In the words of Ecclesiastes: Light itself is delightful,and it is a great boon for the eye to have sight of the sun. Devoid of light, the world would be without beauty and life would be lifeless. That was why Moses, who saw God, said in anticipation: And God saw the light and said that it was good. To reflect on the true and eternal light is even more fitting fo...

March 1st: From a commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Agrigentum, bishop Exult, my soul, in the Lord

Second reading:  From a commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Agrigentum, bishop Exult, my soul, in the Lord Come, eat your bread in gladness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for your works have been pleasing to God. If we would interpret this text in its obvious and ordinary sense, it would be correct to call it a righteous exhortation, in which Ecclesiastes counsels us to embrace a simple way of life and to be led by doctrines which involve a genuine faith in God. Then...

Feb 28th -- From an instruction by Saint Columban, abbot⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The unfathomable depths of God⁣⁣

Second reading⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ From an instruction by Saint Columban, abbot⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The unfathomable depths of God⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ God is everywhere in his immensity, and everywhere close at hand. As he says of himself: I am a God close at hand, not a God far off. The God we seek is not one who dwells at a distance from us, for we have him present with us, if only we are worthy. He dwells in us as the soul in the body, if only we are sound members of his, if we are dead to sin. Then in very truth he dwells in ...

Feb 27th -- From the Commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Jerome, priest⁣ ⁣ Seek the things that are above⁣

Second reading⁣ ⁣ From the Commentary on Ecclesiastes by Saint Jerome, priest⁣ ⁣ Seek the things that are above⁣ ⁣ Every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot, and to take pleasure in his labor—that man has received a gift from God. For he will not notice the days of his life as they pass because God has filled his heart with joy. ⁣ Compare him with the man who is anxious about his wealth and is full of vexation as he hoards up...

February 26th ---From a homily on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop "There is a time to be born, and a time to die"

FEB 26 Second Reading of Divine Office.⁣ ⁣ February 26th ---From a homily on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop  "There is a time to be born, and a time to die"⁣ ⁣ There is a time to be born and a time to die. The fact that there is a natural link between birth and death is expressed very clearly in this text of Scripture. Death invariably follows birth and everyone who is born comes at last to the grave.⁣ ⁣ There is a time to be born and a time to die. God grant that mine ...

Feb 25th -- From a homily on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop⁣

From a homily on Ecclesiastes by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop⁣ ⁣ Christ is our head, and the wise man keeps his eyes upon him⁣ ⁣ We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in him no shadow of evil. Saint Paul himself and all who have reached the same heights of sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so have all who live and move and have their being in him.⁣ ⁣ As no darkness can be seen by anyone...

Feb 24th -- From the chapters On Charity by Saint Maximus the Confessor, abbot⁣

From the chapters On Charity by Saint Maximus the Confessor, abbot⁣ ⁣ Without love everything is in vain⁣ ⁣ Charity is a right attitude of mind which prefers nothing to the knowledge of God. If a man possesses any strong attachment to the things of this earth, he cannot possess true charity. For anyone who really loves God prefers to know and experience God rather than his creatures. The whole set and longing of his mind is ever directed toward him.⁣ ⁣ For God is far superior to all hi...

Feb 23rd -- From a letter on the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by the Church of Smyrna⁣

From a letter on the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by the Church of Smyrna⁣ ⁣ A rich and pleasing sacrifice⁣ ⁣ When the pyre was ready, Polycarp took off all his clothes and loosened his under-garment. He made an effort also to remove his shoes, though he had been unaccustomed to this, for the faithful always vied with each other in their haste to touch his body. Even before his martyrdom he had received every mark of honor in tribute to his holiness of life.⁣ ⁣ There and then he was sur...

Feb 22nd -- From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope The Church of Christ rises on the firm foundation of Peter’s faith

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope⁣ ⁣ The Church of Christ rises on the firm foundation of Peter’s faith⁣ ⁣ Out of the whole world one man, Peter, is chosen to preside at the calling of all nations, and to be set over all the apostles and all the fathers of the Church. Though there are in God’s people many shepherds, Peter is thus appointed to rule in his own person those whom Christ also rules as the original ruler. Beloved, how great and wonderful is this sharing of his power t...

Feb 21st -- From the Explanations of the Psalms by Saint Ambrose, bishop Open your lips, and let God’s word be heard

From the Explanations of the Psalms by Saint Ambrose, bishop⁣ ⁣ Open your lips, and let God’s word be heard⁣ ⁣ We must always meditate on God’s wisdom, keeping it in our hearts and on our lips. Your tongue must speak justice, the law of God must be in your heart. Hence Scripture tells you: You shall speak of these commandments when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down, and when you get up. Let us then speak of the Lord Jesus, for he is wisdom, he ...

Feb 20th -- From a commentary on the Book of Proverbs by Procopius of Gaza, bishop The Wisdom of God has mingled wine and spread a table for us

From a commentary on the Book of Proverbs by Procopius of Gaza, bishop⁣ ⁣ The Wisdom of God has mingled wine and spread a table for us⁣ ⁣ Wisdom has built herself a house. God the Father’s Power, himself a person, has fashioned as his dwelling-place the whole world in which he lives by his activity, and also man who, created to resemble God’s own image and likeness, has a nature which is partly seen and partly hidden from our eyes.⁣ ⁣ And she has set up seven pillars. To man who was ma...

Feb 19th -- From the Discourses against the Arians by Saint Athanasius, bishop We know the Father through creative and incarnate Wisdom

From the Discourses against the Arians by Saint Athanasius, bishop⁣ ⁣ We know the Father through creative and incarnate Wisdom⁣ ⁣ The only-begotten Son, the Wisdom of God, created the entire universe. Scripture says: You have made all things by your wisdom, and the earth is full of your creatures. Yet simply to be was not enough: God also wanted his creatures to be good. That is why he was pleased that his own wisdom should descend to their level and impress upon each of them singly and ...

FEB 18TH -- From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot On the search for wisdom

From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot⁣ ⁣ On the search for wisdom⁣ ⁣ Let us work for the food which does not perish—our salvation. Let us work in the vineyard of the Lord to earn our daily wage in the wisdom which says: Those who work in me will not sin. Christ tells us: The field is the world. Let us work in it and dig up wisdom, its hidden treasure, a treasure we all look for and want to obtain.⁣ ⁣ If you are looking for it, really look. Be converted and come. Converted from what? Fr...

Feb 17 -- From a commentary on the Diatessaron by Saint Ephrem, deacon God’s word is an inexhaustible spring of life

From a commentary on the Diatessaron by Saint Ephrem, deacon⁣ ⁣ God’s word is an inexhaustible spring of life⁣ ⁣ Lord, who can comprehend even one of your words? We lose more of it than we grasp, like those who drink from a living spring. For God’s word offers different facets according to the capacity of the listener, and the Lord has portrayed his message in many colors, so that whoever gazes upon it can see in it what suits him. Within it he has buried manifold treasures, so that each...

Feb 16th -- From a sermon by Blessed Isaac of Stella, abbot⁣

From a sermon by Blessed Isaac of Stella, abbot⁣ ⁣ The preeminence of charity⁣ ⁣ Why, brothers, are we so little concerned to seek one another’s well-being, so that where we see a greater need, we might show a greater readiness to help and carry one another’s burdens? For this is what the blessed apostle Paul urges us to do in the words: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ; and also: Support each other in charity. For this surely is the law of Christ.⁣ ⁣ Why ca...

Feb 15th -- From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope⁣

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope⁣ ⁣ Recognize the dignity of your nature⁣ ⁣ Our Lord Jesus Christ, born true man without ever ceasing to be true God, began in his person a new creation and by the manner of his birth gave man a spiritual origin. What mind can grasp this mystery, what tongue can fittingly recount this gift of love? Guilt becomes innocence, old becomes new, strangers are adopted and outsiders are made heirs. Rouse yourself, man, and recognize the dignity of your n...

Feb 14th -- From an Old Slavonic Life of Constantine⁣

From an Old Slavonic Life of Constantine⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Build up your Church and gather all into unity⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Constantine, already burdened by many hardships, became ill. At one point during his extended illness, he experienced a vision of God and began to sing this verse: “My spirit rejoiced and my heart exulted because they told me we shall go into the house of the Lord.”⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Afterward he remained dressed in the vestments that were to be venerated later, and rejoiced for an entire day, saying: ...

Feb 13th -- From a letter by Saint Ambrose, bishop⁣⁣

From a letter by Saint Ambrose, bishop⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We are heirs of God, coheirs with Christ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The person who puts to death by the Spirit the deeds of our sinful nature will live, says the Apostle. This is not surprising since one who has the Spirit of God becomes a child of God. So true is it that he is a child of God that he receives not a spirit that enslaves but the Spirit that makes us sons. So much so that the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are sons of God. This is the ...

Feb 12th -- From a homily on Genesis by Origen, priest

From a homily on Genesis by Origen, priest⁣ ⁣ The sacrifice of Abraham⁣ ⁣ Abraham took wood for the burnt offering and placed it upon Isaac his son, and he took fire and a sword in his hands, and together they went off. Isaac himself carries the wood for his own holocaust: this is a figure of Christ. For he bore the burden of the cross, and yet to carry the wood for the holocaust is really the duty of the priest. He is then both victim and priest. This is the meaning of the expression: t...

Feb 11th -- From a short discourse by Saint Bonaventure, bishop

From a short discourse by Saint Bonaventure, bishop⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ He who knows Jesus Christ can understand all sacred Scripture⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ The source of sacred Scripture was not human research but divine revelation. This revelation comes from the Father of Light from whom the whole concept of fatherhood in heaven and on earth derives. From him, through Jesus Christ his Son, the Holy Spirit enters into us. Then, through the Holy Spirit who allots and apportions his gifts to each person as he wishes, we ...

Feb 10th -- From an explanation of Paul’s letter to the Galatians by Saint Augustine, bishop

From an explanation of Paul’s letter to the Galatians by Saint Augustine, bishop⁣⁣ Let us understand the workings of God’s grace⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Paul writes to the Galatians to make them understand that by God’s grace they are no longer under the law. When the Gospel was preached to them, there were some among them of Jewish origin known as circumcisers—though they called themselves Christians—who did not grasp the gift they had received. They still wanted to be under the burden of the law. Now God ...

February 9th -- From the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council

From the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Man and his activity⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The activity of man, as it has its origin in man, has man also as its end. Man through his work not only introduces change into things and into society; he also perfects himself. He learns a great deal; he develops his powers; he advances above and beyond himself. This kind of gain, properly understood, is more valuable than any external possessions. Man’s worth i...

February 8th --- From a homily by a spiritual writer of the fourth century May you be filled to the complete fullness of Christ

From a homily by a spiritual writer of the fourth century May you be filled to the complete fullness of Christ Those who have been considered worthy to go forth as the sons of God and to be born again of the Holy Spirit from on high, and who hold within them the Christ who renews them and fills them with light, are directed by the Spirit in varied and different ways and in their spiritual repose they are led invisibly in their hearts by grace. At times, they are like men who mourn and lam...

February 7th --- From the Catecheses by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop

From the Catecheses by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣   Even in time of persecution let the cross be your joy  ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The Catholic Church glories in every deed of Christ. Her supreme glory, however, is the cross. Well aware of this, Paul says: God forbid that I glory in anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣  At Siloam, there was a sense of wonder, and rightly so. A man born blind recovered his sight. But of what importance is this, when there are so many ...