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Lent: Day 17 - Justin Martyr: First Apology: Chaps. 60-68

...tism, the Eucharist and weekly worship among other things. Plato and The Trinity The first chapter of this reading today concludes from the previous few about the prophetic announcement of Jesus and how even “heathens” recognise the things God has put in place, even without realising it. Case in point here, Plato. As touched on yesterday, Plato mentions in his work, Timoeus of Plato, about “the Son of God” being placed “crosswise” in the universe, which Justin goes on to say that although Plato misunderstood the symbolism of the cross from the writings of Moses, which he “borrowed in like manner”, he inadvertently recognises the Trinity. P...

Lent Day 34: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXIII

...ceive the Eucharist. There’s another odd thing mentioned in here to do with this, and that is that after the wine has been taken, “while the moisture is still upon thy lips, touch it with thine hands, and hallow thine eyes and brow and the other organs of sense”. There’s no real explanation for this practice here though, or why it should be done. Closing off this final lecture, Cyril offers some encouragement and a form of doxology which I will quote here to end with because I think it’s worth being read in full to end this part of the series: Hold fast these traditions undefiled and, keep yourselves free from offence. Sever not yourselves from t...

Lent Day 35: Ambrose of Milan: Concerning the Mysteries: 1-4

...Day Thirty-five: St. Ambrose of Milan: Concerning the Mysteries: 1-4 Who: Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397. He was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church. What: The treatise was composed for use during the latter part of Lent, for the benefit of those about to be baptised, the rites and meaning of that Sacrament, as well as of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. For all these matters were treated with the greatest reserve in the Early Church, for fear of being misused by unbelievers. Why: Ambrose states that after the explanations he has already given of holy living (in pr...

Coffee With Jesus: Luke 24

...ng of the Eucharist in that we see Jesus in the bread and receive him there. Even in verse 35, Luke says it in such a Eucharistic way how Jesus was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread”. Another thing which I’ve never noticed here before is that there’s a very brief and interesting detail just mentioned in passing. After these two men arrive back in Jerusalem and meet with the main group and the Eleven to report what happened, they are told that Jesus has also appeared to Simon at some point in the last few hours while the other men were also with Jesus (or maybe after he vanished, he went to see Peter?). It’s intriguing how little it’s...

Lent Day 30: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XIX

...oil, the Eucharist and renouncing Satan etc. These lectures were given after people had been baptised into the faith and were undergoing what is called “catechism”, which basically means, a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for religious instruction. This lecture is on the renouncing of Satan and the turning from worldly things to be focused on Christ now, based on 1 Peter 5:8-14, specifically, verses 8 and 9: Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your br...

Creedal Christians: The Apostle's Creed

...n” (ie. Eucharist) together; others still saying it speaks more to affirming the wider body of Christ, both dead and alive, who make up the Church universal. This would be more in accordance with what we see in Scripture in places such as Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12 and Hebrews 12:1, so for me personally, this is how I understand this phrase, as well as having the caveat of not forsaking meeting together in person as well (cf. Hebrews 10:25). Early References There's also ample evidence within the works of the Early Church Fathers which essentially quote these creeds almost word for word, going back as early as the first century in one of Ignatius’ let...