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Lent Day 32: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXI

Day Thirty-two: St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXI Who: Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. Little is known of his life, except from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. What: Each of the lectures deal with a different topic to teach converts the mysteries of the Church, particularly: rites of the renunciation of Satan and his works, of anointing with oil, of baptism, of anointing with the holy chrism, and of partaking of the body and blood of Christ. Why: Cyril delivered to new c...

The Temptations of Jesus: Complacency

So now we are at the end of the temptations that Jesus endured in the desert, and I wanted to look at what happens at the end. So often I think this aspect is overlooked when we read of this time in Scripture. Let’s take a look at the text: Matthew 4:11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Luke 4:13When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. The two Gospel accounts both give us a varying perspective with different details. Afterwards, the devil leaves and angels “suddenly” come. This is almost a temptation in itself; one to think we are all good and safe now we've won the battl...

Lent: Day 5 - Ignatius to the Ephesians

...powers of Satan are destroyed … by the unity of your faith.” The insight on communion which this letter gives us is also quite interesting as Ignatius writes that the breaking of bread “is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying” which will enable us to “live forever in Jesus Christ.” It's a very interesting letter, with some unique insights into the theology of the early church and the importance of unity amongst the believers. But there is also a lot of repetition and in places it seems quite hasty, but I suppose that's understandable considering the circumstances in which Ignatius wrote this!  ...

Lent: Day 14 - Justin Martyr: First Apology, Chaps. 24-35

...pent, and Satan, and the devil” bolstering his previous arguments that the “gods” are in fact demons. Proofs of Christ’s power and status from prophecy This chapter, and the ones that follow, aim to defend the true power and status of Christ, and dismiss the claim that Jesus performed his “mighty works by magical art, and by this appeared to be the Son of God”, and was thus only a mere man empowered by demons. To do this, Justin gives a very brief look at the prophets of old who foretold of this coming, healing power and that he would die and rise again, saying that He was foretold by all the major prophets down through the generations, and specif...