Save souls through service Palladius of Galatia tells the story of an ascetic who met a man and woman who were actors—a notoriously immoral profession in those days. Wishing to save them for Christ, he took the extreme measure of selling himself to them as a slave. The fathers used to tell how, taking a female ascetic as his accomplice, Serapion sold himself to some Greek actors in a certain city for twenty pieces of money. And having sealed up... Read more
Typology is the study of the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament. The events, people and statements in the Old Testament are viewed as pre-figuring the events, people and statements in the New Testament. As Saint Augustine states “The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old is unveiled in the New.” This can become a pretty involved and deep study so I was pretty intrigued to see a children’s book that dealt with typology.... Read more
One of the exciting things I get to do through my work here at The Catholic Book Blogger is to bring speakers I interview to my home parish in New Oxford, PA. In 2013 we hosted Mike Aquilina, in 2014 we hosted Scott Hahn, this May we hosted Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle and on August 29th at Immaculate COnception Church BVM we welcome Matt Leonard. As my spiritual director has said “Little New Oxford, PA the hub of evangelization in Adams... Read more
Bring your neighbors to church Why do our churches seem half-empty sometimes? Why are our neighbors staying home from Mass? St. John Chrysostom warns us that the real blame is not with those who stayed away, but with us who went to church and didn’t bring our neighbors with us. It seems I did no good with the long harangue I addressed to you a while ago, hoping to rouse up your enthusiasm for the meetings here. Once again our... Read more
You are the soul of the world The unknown author of this letter simply calls himself a “Mathetes,” a “disciple.” Here he tells a pagan friend that Christians are like the soul of the world. To sum up: what the soul is to the body, that is what Christians are to the world. The soul is scattered through all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul lives in the... Read more
Keep trying to spread the Good News “You’re not getting through to them,” people might tell us. But persistence wins the day, says St. John Chrysostom. If everyone gave up after the first failure, how would the world go on? There are some who relax the zeal of others by derision and ridicule, saying, “Stop giving advice; leave off warning; they are not listening to you: you have no fellow-feeling with them.” Haven’t I persuaded them today? But I shall... Read more
This week publisher Ignatius Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Didache Bible (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST 7/03 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Become famous for good deeds St. Basil was a man who knew how to ask for a favor. In this letter he very gently appeals to a provincial governor’s love of reputation, suggesting that the surest way to earn wide fame is to be known for his good deeds. I am aware that your excellency is favorably receiving my letters, and I understand why. You love all that is good; you are ready in doing kindnesses. So whenever I give... Read more
There are a number of Catholic Bible’s available today. These range in translation, content and appearance. I am often asked for what Bible I would recommend. In an effort to answer that question I will be spotlighting a number of different Bibles available from a number of different publishers over the next few weeks. My reviews will consist of a look at the appearance of each and focus on the most important factor of all, content. My hope is these... Read more
Practice what you preach If you tell other people to behave themselves, says Lactantius, what will they think when they see how you act? If you do the things you tell them not to do, they’ll laugh at you, and rightly so. If anyone gives people rules to live by, and molds the character of others, is he bound to practice what he preaches or not? If he doesn’t practice what he preaches, his rules are worthless. For if the... Read more
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