Christ, the model of brotherly love – Saint Aelred, abbot
The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies. We can find no greater inspiration for this than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ. He…
The Church of Christ rises on the firm foundation of Peter’s faith – Saint Leo the Great, pope
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…
Circumcision of the heart – Aphraates, bishop
Law and covenant have been entirely changed. God changed the first pact with Adam, and gave a new one to Noah. He gave another to Abraham, and changed this to…
He has given us life; he has also taught us how to pray – Saint Cyprian bishop and martyr
What prayer could be more a prayer in the spirit than the one given us by Christ, by whom the Holy Spirit was sent upon us? What prayer could be…
Let us show each other God’s generosity – Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop
Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for…
In Christ we suffered temptation, and in him we overcame the devil – Saint Augustine, bishop
He made us one with him when he chose to be tempted by Satan. We have heard in the gospel how the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil…
The friendship of God – Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
In the beginning God created Adam, not because he needed man, but because he wanted to have someone on whom to bestow his blessings. Not only before Adam but also…
Prayer is the light of the spirit – Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
Prayer and converse with God is a supreme good: it is a partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see light, so…
Purification of spirit through fasting and almsgiving – Saint Leo the Great, pope
There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so…