Epiphany The Magi saw his star and rejoiced to lay their treasures at his feet

The Catechism of the Catholic Church ...

The Christmas mystery ... 

The mysteries of Jesus' infancy ... 

528 The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world. The great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.²¹² In the magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. The magi's coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations.²¹³ Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning towards the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament.²¹⁴ The Epiphany shows that "the full number of the nations" now takes its "place in the family of the patriarchs", and acquires Israelitica dignitas²¹⁵ (is made "worthy of the heritage of Israel").

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p122a3p3.htm

iBreviary
SECOND READING

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
(Sermo 3 in Epiphania Domini, 1-3. 5: PL 54, 240-244)

The Lord has made his salvation known to the whole world

The loving providence of God determined that in the last days he would aid the world, set on its course to destruction. He decreed that all nations should be saved in Christ.

A promise had been made to the holy patriarch Abraham in regard to these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his body but from the seed of faith. His descendants are therefore compared with the array of the stars. The father of all nations was to hope not in an earthly progeny but in a progeny from above.

Let the full number of the nations now take their place in the family of the patriarchs. Let the children of the promise now receive the blessing in the seed of Abraham, the blessing renounced by the children of his flesh. In the persons of the Magi let all people adore the Creator of the universe; let God be known, not in Judea only, but in the whole world, so that his name may be great in all Israel.

Dear friends, now that we have received instruction in this revelation of God’s grace, let us celebrate with spiritual joy the day of our first harvesting, of the first calling of the Gentiles. Let us give thanks to the merciful God, who has made us worthy, in the words of the Apostle, to share the position of the saints in light, who has rescued us from the power of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. As Isaiah prophesied: the people of the Gentiles, who sat in darkness, have seen a great light, and for those who dwelt in the region of the shadow of death a light has dawned. He spoke of them to the Lord: The Gentiles, who do not know you, will invoke you, and the peoples, who knew you not, will take refuge in you.

This is the day that Abraham saw, and rejoiced to see, when he knew that the sons born of his faith would be blessed in his seed, that is, in Christ. Believing that he would be the father of the nations, he looked into the future, giving glory to God, in full awareness that God is able to do what he has promised.

This is the day that David prophesied in the psalms, when he said: All the nations that you have brought into being will come and fall down in adoration in your presence, Lord, and glorify your name. Again, the Lord has made known his salvation; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognize and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ.

Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another; then, in the kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way, you will shine as children of the light: through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

RESPONSORY

This is the glorious day on which Christ himself, the savior of the world, appeared;
the prophets foretold him, the angels worshiped him;
– the Magi saw his star and rejoiced to lay their treasures at his feet.

God’s holy day has dawned for us at last;
come, all you peoples, and adore the Lord. 
– The Magi saw his star and rejoiced to lay their treasures at his feet

Leo the Great: The Mystery of the Magi and of the StarSunday, Jan 6 2013 

Leo the Great and PATRISTIC and POPES Christ, epiphany, faith, interior life,kingdom, light, mind, redemption, seed of Abraham

http://enlargingtheheart.wordpress.com/category/patristic/leo-the-great/page/4/

Taught then, dearly-beloved, by these mysteries of Divine grace, let us with reasonable joy celebrate the day of our first-fruits and the commencement of the nations’ calling:

“giving thanks to” the merciful God “who made us worthy,” as the Apostle says, “to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light:  who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

As Isaiah prophesied, “the people of the nations that sat in darkness, have seen a great light, and they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Of whom he also said to the Lord, “nations which knew not thee, shall call on thee:  and peoples which were ignorant of thee, shall run together unto thee.”

This day “Abraham saw and was glad,” when he understood that the sons of his faith would be blessed in his seed that is in Christ, and foresaw that by believing he should be the father of all nations, “giving glory to God and being fully assured that What He had promised, He was able also to perform.”

This day David sang of in the psalms saying:  “all nations that thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord:  and they shall glorify Thy name.”

And again:  “The Lord hath made known His salvation:  His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the nations.”

This in good truth we know to have taken place ever since the three wise men aroused in their far-off land were led by a star to recognize and worship the King of heaven and earth.

And surely their worship of Him exhorts us to imitation; that, as far as we can, we should serve our gracious God who invites us all to Christ.

For whosoever lives religiously and chastely in the Church and “sets his mind on the things which are above, not on the things that are upon the earth,” is in some measure like the heavenly light.

And, whilst he himself keeps the brightness of a holy life, he points out to many the way to the Lord like a star.

In which regard, dearly-beloved, ye ought all to help one another in turn, that in the kingdom of God, which is reached by right faith and good works, ye may shine as the sons of light.

Leo the Great (c.400-461): Sermon 33, 5.

+ + + + + + +

  Epiphany - Star invites all Nations to Find Christ

http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/109/Epiphany____Star_Invites_all_Nations_to_Find_Christ__Leo_the_Great_.html

Saint Bede (Hom.l,6: CCL 122, 440-42) God in the Inn

Monastic Office of Vigils

A Word in Season, Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours,
New Edition, Augustinian Press 2001.

CHRISTMAS SEASON From from 1^st Jan to Epiphany

WEDNESDAY  Year II (4^th January 2014, Saturday)

First Reading    Song of Songs 6:2 -7:10

Responsory                 Sg 6:3.7.10; Ps 85:11

You are beautiful, my beloved, sweet and lovely as Jerusalem. + My beloved belongs to me and I to him.

V. Kindness and truth have met; justice and peace have embraced. + My beloved belongs ...

Second Reading     From a homily by Saint Bede of England (Hom.l,6: CCL 122, 440-42)

God in the inn

While they were there, Luke says, the time came for her to be deliv­ered, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. The Lord is said to be her firstborn not because we should believe that the blessed Mother of God had other children afterward, since it is well known that she and Joseph lived their whole lives together in chastity: but because he is rightly called the firstborn of those of whom John says: To as many as received him he gave power to become children of God. Among these children he naturally holds the first place, since even before his birth as a human being he had an eternal birth as the Son of God. He came down to earth, shared in our nature, and gave us a share in his grace, so that he might be, as the apostle says, the first-born of a large family.

And she wrapped him, says scripture, in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. Beloved, this should make us' reflect upon our Redeemer's great condescension and say, each one of us, from the bottom of our hearts: How can I repay the Lord for all he has done for me? For he of whom we rightly sing: Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise: his greatness cannot be measured has for us been born as a small child so that we who were small might through rebirth become great or in other words, so that we who were sinners might become righteous. He who is seated in heaven at the right hand of God the Father went without a room at the inn in order to give us many joyful rooms in the house of his Father. He who has adorned with great diversity every creature, whether invisible in the heavens or visible upon earth, and in his state of majesty is himself, as the prophet says, wrapped in light as in a robe when he assumed, our weakness covered with poor clothes in order to restore the best robe to us, or in other words, to give us back again, in his mercy, the immortality we had received in our first parent. He through whom all things were made wished his hands and feet, indeed the whole body he had assumed to be wrapped in swaddling clothes, in order to dispose our hands to do good works, to guide our feet into the ways of peace, and to consecrate every part of our bodies to God's service. He whom all the heavens cannot contain was confined in a poor little manger in order to confer upon us the spaciousness of heavenly habitations. And it was surely in to­ken of a special mystery that he chose to be born in a stable where animals come to feed, for thus he already gave us to un­derstand that all believers were to be fed at the holy table where these same mysteries of his incarnation would be celebrated.

Responsorv

O king of heaven - what strange honors are paid to you! +You contain the whole world, yet you are lodged in a stable.

V. You reign in the heavens, yet you lie in a manger. + You contain the ...

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament - Online

COMMENT:

St. Alphonsus - Online

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

   http://www.stalphonsusbalt.org/stavisits.htm   

VISITS TO THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT
AND TO THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

FOR EACH DAY OF THE MONTH

by ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI

Dedication: TO MARYThe Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of God

My most holy Queen - On the point of publishing the present little work, in which I treat of the love of thy Son, I know not to whom I can better dedicate it than to thee, my most beloved Mother, who, amongst all creatures, art His most tender lover. I believe by this little offering which I present to thee, and which is composed for the sole purpose of inflaming souls more and more with the love of Jesus Christ-I believe, I say, that by it I shall greatly please thee, who desirest to see Him loved by all as He deserves. To thee, then, I consecrate it, such as it is; do thou graciously accept and protect it; not indeed that I may receive the praise of men, but that all who read it may for the future correspond, by their greater devotion and affection, with the tender and excessive love which our most sweet Savior has been pleased to show us in His Passion, and in the institution of the Most Holy Sacrament As such, I place it at thy feet, and beseech thee to accept the gift as wholly thine, as also the giver, who has long since placed all his hopes in thee, and wishes and hopes always to call himself, and to rejoice in being,

Most gracious Lady,

Thy most loving, though most unworthy servant,

ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI,
Of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

INTRODUCTION

Instructions on the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin

Our holy faith teaches us, and we are bound to believe, that in the consecrated Host, Jesus Christ is really present under the species of bread. But we must also understand that He is present on our altars as on a throne of love and mercy, to dispense graces and there to show us the love which He bears us, by being pleased to dwell night and day hidden in the midst of us.

Discourse on the Name of Jesus ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

The Most Holy Name of Jesus, online.

     ww.catholictradition.org/Christ/holyname-discourse.htm 

Discourse on the Name of Jesus
ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

Vocatum est nomen ejus Jesus.
"His Name was called Jesus."----St. Luke, 2:21.

This great name of Jesus was not given by man, but by God himself; "The name of Jesus," says St. Bernard, "was first preordained by God." [1] It was a new name: A new Name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. [2] A new name, which God alone could give to Him Whom He destined for the Saviour of the world. A new and an eternal name; because, as our salvation was decreed from all eternity, so from all eternity was this name given to the Redeemer. Nevertheless this name was only bestowed on Jesus Christ in this world on the day of His circumcision: And after eight days were accomplished that the Child should be circumcised, His name was called Jesus. The Eternal Father wished at that time to reward the humility of His Son by giving Him so honorable a name. Yes, while Jesus humbles Himself, submitting in His circumcision to be branded with the mark of a sinner, it is just that His Father should honor Him by giving Him a name that exceeds the dignity and sublimity of any other name: God hath given Him a Name which is above all names. [3] And He commands that this name should be adored by the Angels, by men, and by devils: That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. [4] If, then, all creatures are to adore this great name, still more ought we sinners to adore it, since it was in our behalf that this name of Jesus; which signifies Saviour, was given to Him; and for this end also He came down from Heaven, namely, to save sinners: "For us men and for our salvation He came down from Heaven, and was made Man." [5] We ought to adore Him, and at the same time to thank God Who has given Him this name for our good; for it is this name that consoles us, defends us, and makes us burn with love. This will form the three points of our discourse. Let us consider them; but first let us beg for light from Jesus and Mary.

I.

In the first place, the name of Jesus consoles us; for when we invoke Jesus, we find relief in all our afflictions. When we have recourse to Jesus, He wishes to console us, because He loves us; and He can do so, because He is not only man, but He is also the Omnipotent God; otherwise He could not properly have this great name of Saviour. ...

January 3, Most Holy Name of Jesus

  

 
January 3, Most Holy Name of Jesus

The name of Jesus is a name of gladness, a name of hope and a name of love. A name of gladness, because if the remembrance of past transgressions afflicts us, this name comforts us, reminding us that the Son of God became man for this purpose, to make himself our Savior.

A name of hope, because he that prays to the Eternal Father in the name of Jesus may hope for every grace he asks for: If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you.

A name of love. For the name of Jesus brings to our remembrance all the sufferings which Jesus has endured for us in his life and at his death. — Excerpted from St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Incarnation Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ.   

Prayer to the Most Holy Name of Jesus

by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

 Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus' name, The Savior of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart! 0 joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know.
Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; In Thee be all our glory now, And through eternity.

Amen.

Catholic Online

Feast of St. John, who leaned on His heart.

COMMENT:

On Thursday, 2 January 2014, 17:07, William ... wrote:

Dear Father Donald,

I am delighting in your blog entry for the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, and followed the link you provided:

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/01_1.cfm especially of that to the

history of the 'Monogram for the Holy Name' (that is a little further down the page).

'IHS' - sent me searching amongst my 'buttons & badges' collections of medallions, found on market

stalls over past years and, sure enough, there were two (see attached photos - front / back).

What a wonderful reflection this feast will add to the prayer to 'Our Father, Hallowed be Thy Name...'

Thank you for again taking me deeper into the mystery of the Holy Name of Jesus.

If I might find an old oak tree that I could carve this Name for all who pass by...

... in Our Lord,

William

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  

HE AND i, Gabrielle Bossis

1937

December - 24  -   Midnight Mass.

 "Enjoy it. Nothing must be lost of what I suffered for you in My passion. Bring everything into the inner stillness. Offer Me to Myself. "

 I was in spirit inside the wounds of His hands and as I was astonished to find myself entirely enclosed, He said to me,

"My wounds can hold the entire world. Stay there

(on His heart),

Say nothing. Let us exchange our sufferings and love in secret. . . I live you. My child, live Me. "Christmas  -  "Don't you live enfolded in Love? Give Me all. Everything. . . Love Me. Make amends for all the ways others are going to offend Me tonight. "

St.-John-and-Jesus-at-the-Last-Supper

     

December - 27  -   Feast of St. John, who leaned on His heart.

 "Tell Me that with every breath of yours you breathe the love of My heart. What priceless treasure for you!"

1942

Feb 12 ; Let your ear always be on the alert to listen to Me. You will hear. When John leaned on My heart, he heard its secrets. If he had not shown me this gesture of tenderness, would he ever have heard? I am like the shy person  -  I have to wait for you to make the first move."

1945

December 27  -  "If you have to make sacrifices to reach Me, don't worry about them. I'm in you. I’ll shoulder their weight. If you find no words to express your love, keep silent and I in you will speak to Myself. If you can't keep your thoughts on Me, come back to Me as soon as you notice this, gently, without bitterness against yourself. Since I can put up with you, you can surely put up with yourself. Transmute this into an opportunity of being humble. Oh, never miss one of such blessed opportunities. My little girl humble. . . What a joy for Me!

You understand, I see all that's going on inside you. I can fathom you. Don't parents see right through their little child? And I. . . Shouldn't that hearten you? Shouldn't it help your inner life? I'm at rest in your soul.

At the beginning of Creation, God walked in the Garden of Eden and talked with your first parents. There was God and there was man. Now it is the God - Man, and He is in you, still nearer, since He took on human nature. What oneness, My child! Think of it. If you understood better, your heart would melt with love. "

"Lord, give me the grace to understand better. " 

"Ask St. John to help you. It's his feast day today. Although I left him on the day of My ascension, he went on living with Me right to the end of his life on earth. Ask him for the tender faithfulness that won so much light for him. And trust. "

1948 

May - 27 - Corpus Christi. - "Lord, I want so much to work for "Your desires." 

"Take your place near Me where John is as I invent My Eucharist. Look at My happiness. I seem to forget even My fearful passion that is about to begin, so completely am I engulfed in the love of man. Not just the Eleven, but all the people to come, even to the very last at the end of time. You understand, it's as though I took everyone  -  all of you  -  in My body, promising you to be members of it. The thirst for union with you is so great that I want to be consumed by you in order to merge our minds, our beings. I want to be your thinking and your doing.

Such love amazes you, and yet you can guess at only a very faint part of it. Does the flame of a torch give any idea of a conflagration?

There, near Me, in John's place, are you aware of My deep joy at having found a way of remaining among you  -  all of you who were not there that evening at the Last Supper. You whom I already love so much that I am ready to die a shameful death for you. You whose entire life will be accompanied by My Hosts, and whose death will be the sweeter for them.

And from your place  -  John's place  -  see how the apostles have already become new men – gentle and fervent. They believe. They possess Me. I already act in them as I shall act in you.

Can I be present and not make your cup of blessings overflow? Who is as rich as I? Who could desire your highest good more than I? Then help Me to fulfil this desire by asking the Father that all people allow Me to have My own way in them. If only they would consent to let Me come in. They are afraid to be seen. They have no time for anything but business; they have none for Me. They don't believe and they don't think about these things. They are scornful. Others believe, but hate Me and basely persecute all that they can in the ciborium.

You, My faithful friends, surround Me; adorn My tabernacles; comfort Me; respond to Love, in life, in death; wish to remain longer on earth in order to love Me the longer there. Others will come after you, but who will replace you? For Me each of you has a face, a path. Keep your face before My face and hasten along your path." 

COMMENT:

Various Community Refectory pictures of the Last Supper.

1.

Dublin - refectory.  

Fontani (Italy) Last Supper renditions, polymer/wood/resin.  

Edinburgh - Gillis Centre

Hand-painted Plaque, Last Supper, abbey guest house.

Carved plaque - Carlisle shop

Ireland - Abbey community room

Co. Dublin - Refectory

APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER FOR THE YEAR 2014

January of the Month of the Holy Name o Jesus

January 2014 - Overview for the Month

The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, which is celebrated on January 3. The first twelve days of January fall during the liturgical season known as Christmas which is represented by the liturgical color white. The remaining days of January are the beginning of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color changes to green — a symbol of the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection.

The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of January 2014

General: That all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples.
Missionary: That Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ.

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/01.cfm
PPRAYER INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER ENTRUSTED TO THE APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER FOR THE YEAR 2014

January Economic Development.  That all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples. Christian Unity.  That Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ. February Elders.  That the Church and society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people. Collaboration in Evangelization.  That priests, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity. March Respect for Women.  That all cultures may respect the rights and dignity of women. Vocations.  That many young people may accept the Lord’s invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel. April Ecology and Justice.  That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources. Hope for the Sick.  That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those who are being tested by pain and sickness.  May Media. That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace. Mary’s Guidance. That Mary, Star of Evangelization, may guide the Church in proclaiming Christ to all nations. June Unemployed. That the unemployed may receive support and find the work they need to live in dignity. Faith in Europe.  That Europe may rediscover its Christian roots through the witness of believers. July Sports. That sports may always be occasions of human fraternity and growth. Lay Missionaries.  That the Holy Spirit may support the work of the laity who proclaim the Gospel in the poorest countries. August Refugees.  That refugees, forced by violence to abandon their homes, may find a generous welcome and the protection of their rights. Oceania.  That Christians in Oceania may joyfully announce the faith to all the people of that region. September Mentally disabled. That the mentally disabled may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life. Service to the poor.  That Christians, inspired by the Word of God, may serve the poor and suffering. October Peace. That the Lord may grant peace to those parts of the world most battered by war and violence. World Mission Day.  That World Mission Day may rekindle in every believer zeal for carrying the Gospel into all the world. November Lonely people. That all who suffer loneliness may experience the closeness of God and the support of others. Mentors of seminarians and religious.  That young seminarians and religious may have wise and well-formed mentors. December Christmas, hope for humanity. That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will. Parents.  That parents may be true evangelizers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith.

From the Vatican, 1 February 2013

in laudem Basilii Magni

Saint of the day : St. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church († 379), 

iBreviary
SECOND READING

From a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen
(Oratio 43, in laudem Basilii Magni, 15, 16-17, 19-21; PG 36, 514-423)                   Two bodies, but a single spirit

Basil and I were both in Athens. We had come, like streams of a river, from the same source in our native land, had separated from each other in pursuit of learning, and were now united again as if by plan, for God so arranged it.

I was not alone at that time in my regard for my friend, the great Basil. I knew his irreproachable conduct, and the maturity and wisdom of his conversation. I sought to persuade others, to whom he was less well known, to have the same regard for him. Many fell immediately under his spell, for they had already heard of him by reputation and hearsay.

What was the outcome? Almost alone of those who had come to Athens to study he was exempted from the customary ceremonies of initiation for he was held in higher honor than his status as a first-year student seemed to warrant.

Such was the prelude to our friendship, the kindling of that flame that was to bind us together. In this way we began to feel affection for each other. When, in the course of time, we acknowledged our friendship and recognised that our ambition was a life of true wisdom, we became everything to each other: we shared the same lodging, the same table, the same desires the same goal. Our love for each other grew daily warmer and deeper.

The same hope inspired us: the pursuit of learning. This is an ambition especially subject to envy. Yet between us there was no envy. On the contrary, we made capital out of our rivalry. Our rivalry consisted, not in seeking the first place for oneself but in yielding it to the other, for we each looked on the other’s success as his own.

We seemed to be two bodies with a single spirit. Though we cannot believe those who claim that everything is contained in everything, yet you must believe that in our case each of us was in the other and with the other.

Our single object and ambition was virtue, and a life of hope in the blessings that are to come; we wanted to withdraw from this world before we departed from it. With this end in view we ordered our lives and all our actions. We followed the guidance of God’s law and spurred each other on to virtue. If it is not too boastful to say, we found in each other a standard and rule for discerning right from wrong. Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits and achievements. But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians.

RESPONSORY
Daniel 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 12:11

The Lord gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding.
– He reveals what is deep and hidden;
all light has its source in him.

One and the same Spirit is at work in all,
and he gives to each as he wills.
– He reveals what is deep and hidden;
all light has its source in him.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD The most famous Marian homily of antiquity

Hogmanay New Year

CHRISTMASTIDE Octave of Christmas 1 January MARY, MOTHER OF GOD The most famous Marian homily of antiquity From a homily by Saint Cyril of Alexandria (Hom. 4: PG 77, 991.995-996) This is the most famous Marian homily of antiquity. It was delivered in the Churchof Saint Mary at Ephesus between 23 and 27 June 431, while the third Ecumenical Council was in session there. This Council, at which Cyril presided as papal delegate, condemned Nestorius, and solemnly recognized Mary's title of Theotokos, Mother of God. Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We salute you, for in your holy womb he, who is beyond all limitation, was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance. What more is there to say? Because of you the light of the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the word of God; the apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to life, and kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity. Who can put Mary's high honor into words? She is both mother and virgin. I am overwhelmed by the wonder of this miracle. Of course no one could be prevented from living in the house he had built for himself, yet who would invite mockery by asking his own servant to become his mother? Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.