Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Peter Chrysologus (circa 380 to circa 450 AD). The name Chrysologus means golden worded. Saint Peter was the Bishop of Ravenna (Italy) from about the year 433 until his death. He is known as the Doctor of Homilies because of the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as Shepherd of Ravenna.
An example of his teachings appears in the Office of Readings (part of the Liturgy of the Hours) for this day. Speaking about the incarnation of Christ, he says:
A virgin conceived, bore a son, and yet remained a virgin. This is no common occurrence, but a sign; there is no reason here, but rather God's power, for he is the cause, and not nature. It is a special event, not shared by others; it is divine, not human. Christ's birth was not necessity, but an expression of omnipotence, a sacrament of piety for the redemption of men. He who made man without generation from pure clay made man again and was born from a pure body. The hand that assumed clay to make our flesh deigned to assume a body for our salvation ... (Sermon 148, PL 52, 596-598).
These rich images provide food for our thought and prayer. May Saint Peter continue to inspire those who seek to share the Word of God, so that this living Word may always awaken a desire within us to know God more closely.
Have a great day.
No comments:
Post a Comment