“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, … Continue reading Awestruck…

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth … Continue reading Why do we gape?

“This one may see in their case also who live by the rules of wisdom, for they, even in poverty, feel more secure than the rich.” John Chrysostom. 1888. “Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople on the Gospel according to St. Matthew.” In Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, edited by Philip Schaff, translated by George Prevost and M. B. Riddle, 10:30. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series. New York: Christian Literature Company. Continue reading These are wealthier than all

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 Continue reading The furnace of poverty

3rd century Christian commentary 1 Corinthians 7:23 arguing that there is more freedom for a believer in Christ who is a slave than a thousand free men and women but in bondage to sin. “This saying is addressed not to slaves only, but also to free men. For it is possible for one who is a slave not to be a slave; and for one who is a free man to be a slave. “And how can one be a slave and not a slave?” When he doeth all for God: when he feigns nothing, and doeth nothing out of … Continue reading If thou be a slave to sin

Augustine 400 ADish Alas for me! I do not even know the extent of my ownignorance. Behold, O my God, in thy presence I do not lie. As my heart is, so I speak.Thou shalt light my candle; thou, O Lord my God, wilt enlighten my darkness. – Augustine “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered … Continue reading I don’t even know

And the proconsul said, “I have beasts, I will throw you to them, unless you repent.” And he said, “Call for them! For repentance is impossible for us from better to worse, but it is good to change from wickedness to righteousness.”  And again he said to him, “I will cause you to be consumed by fire, since you despise the beasts, unless you repent.” But Polycarp replied, you threaten with fire that burns for a while, and after a little time is extinguished. For you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for … Continue reading Bring about what you wish

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” – Psalm 116:15 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” – Hebrews 13:6 “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” – Genesis 15:1 Continue reading My King who saved me