Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo 33rd Tract on John Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives, even unto that fruitful Mount, that anointing Mount, that Mount of Chrism. Where else became it Christ to teach, if not on the Mount of Olives? For the word Christ is derived from Chrisma, and Chrisma is…
Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop 15th Tract on John Jesus, wearied with His journey, the mysteries are beginning now. It is not for nothing that Jesus is wearied. It is not for nothing that the Mighty One of God is wearied. It is not for nothing that He is wearied Who Himself giveth Rest to…
Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan Bk. 4 on Luke iv Behold here how long-suffering is the Lord our Redeemer! Neither moved to anger against them, nor sickened at their guilt, nor outraged by their attacks, did He leave the Jews’ country. Nay, forgetting their iniquity, and mindful only of His mercy, He strove…
Homily by St. Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem Bk. ii Comm. on Matth. xv The stupidity of the Pharisees and Scribes is something extraordinary. They rebuke the Son of God because He doth not observe the traditions and commandments of men for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. It behoveth us to cleanse,…
Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop 16th Sermon on the Words of the Lord, vol. x Why tell him his fault? Because he hath made thee smart by trespassing against thee? God forbid. If thou tell him his fault because thou lovest thyself, thou dost nothing. But if thou tell it him because thou lovest him,…
Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop Bk. iv on Luke iv Here we have a display of a spite not very common. Their hatred of Christ, and their desire to find grounds for that hatred in what in Him appealed for their love, had made them forget their local friendliness to a fellow-citizen. By this example…
Seven Sorrows and Joys of Saint Joseph This devotion owes its origin to a celebrated event, never omitted by any historian of the Saint. It is as follows: Two Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its three hundred passengers….
Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop Bk. vii Comment. on Luke xv Thou seest how that the heavenly goods are given to such as seek them. Neither oughtest thou to think the father to blame, because he gave to his younger son. In the kingdom of God there is no age of weakness, neither doth faith…