Everything comes from the Good, Angels: Day 096

Last updated on: October 23, 2016 at 10:00 am By Pete Socks

Dionysius the Areopagite tells us that the angels have all their perfections because of the one Good, namely God, from whom all perfections flow. But not just the angels: our own souls, and the life of lower animals and plants, and even the existence of inanimate objects—all of it depends on God. Whatever belongs to the heavenly hierarchy—the purifications appropri- ate to angels, the heavenly illuminations, and everything that perfects the whole angelic perfection—all of it comes from the Fountain... Read more

Christ is the teacher, Angels: Day 095

Last updated on: October 22, 2016 at 12:38 pm By Pete Socks

One generation teaches another, but who taught the first humans? Not other humans, says St. Clement of Alexandria, since there were none. Not angels, because we cannot hear the way angels normally speak. No, our original teacher was the Word himself. I lead you up to the first generation of human beings; and from that point I begin to investigate: who is their teacher? Not a human, for they had not yet learned. Not any of the angels, for humans do... Read more

CBB Interview with Gail Buckley

Last updated on: October 25, 2016 at 6:54 pm By Pete Socks

Gail Buckley is the Founder and President of Catholic Scripture Study International. In addition to managing CSS, Gail serves on the board of directors of Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) and the Catholic Leadership Conference and on the Board of Reference of PureHope, a division of the National Coalition for Protection of Children and Families. In 2009, she was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient order under the Papacy. Gail... Read more

They listened to the angels, we listen to the Son; Angels: Day 094

Last updated on: October 12, 2016 at 11:56 am By Pete Socks

They listened to the angels, we listen to the Son St. Augustine tells us that, in Old Testament times, the word of God was given through the angels—and it was heard with earnest obedience. We who have the word directly from the Son should be even more careful to listen. Whenever God appeared to the patriarchs, presented to them according to his own dispensation suitable to the times, he did so through created beings. We have the authority of the... Read more

Jerusalem and Babylon; Angels: Day 093

Last updated on: October 12, 2016 at 11:52 am By Pete Socks

Jerusalem and Babylon The angels are citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem, says St. Augustine, and so are we. But for the present we on earth are held captive in the spiritual Babylon. We begin to be freed from our captivity as soon as we confess our sins. You’ve heard, and you know, that there are two cities, for the present outwardly mixed up together, yet separated in heart, running together through the course of time until the end. One, whose... Read more

The modesty of Daniel; Angels: Day 092

Last updated on: October 12, 2016 at 11:46 am By Pete Socks

The modesty of Daniel Daniel, says St. Ephrem the Syrian, was afraid even to approach the angel he saw. How can some philosophers pretend that they’ve figured out everything about the Son of God? Daniel saw wondrous living creatures. He also saw that the Ancient of Days was sitting in glory (Dan. 7:9). He approached the living creatures, because he wanted to ask and learn. But he did not approach to search into the glory of the Most High. Fools... Read more

CBB Giveaway: Who Does He Say You Are? AND Luke: The Gospel of Mercy bible study

Last updated on: October 18, 2016 at 8:57 pm By Pete Socks

This week we have an awesome TWO title giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a copy of Who Does He Say You Are? by Colleen C. Mitchell, sponsored by Franciscan Media (you can read Michele’s review here) and one complete set of the newest Catholic Scripture Study International bible study Luke: The Gospel of Mercy including Leader’s Guide, Study Guide and 3-DVD set , sponsored by Saint Benedict Press (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my... Read more

Angels come to the virtuous; Angels: Day 091

Last updated on: October 12, 2016 at 11:35 am By Pete Socks

Angels come to the virtuous St. Ambrose recalls the story of Samson’s birth in Judges 13 and rejects one writer’s interpretation that would make Samson’s father merely a jealous husband. Angels would not come to him, says St. Ambrose, if he were full of sinful thoughts. By this time the spirit of the Hebrews had been so subdued by long oppression that no one dared to rouse them to liberty with a manly spirit. But then Samson, foreordained by the... Read more

CBB Review: CSS Study – Luke: The Gospel of Mercy

Last updated on: October 18, 2016 at 6:41 pm By Pete Socks

When I first heard the news that Catholic Scripture Study International was going to be going under the umbrella of Saint Benedict Press I was anxious to see what this meant for their already superb bible studies. Well the wait is over and our questions are answered as the first bible study has been released under this new partnership. Luke: The Gospel of Mercy is the title of the study and it is fantastic! The study can be purchased in... Read more

Sleep humbly and dream of angels; Angels: Day 090

Last updated on: October 12, 2016 at 11:31 am By Pete Socks

Sleep humbly and dream of angels Jacob had a stone for his pillow when he had his vision of the heavenly ladder, St. John Chrysostom reminds us. How can we expect to see visions of angels when we sleep in luxuries, and deny even the necessities of life to the poor? Shall I show you another bed? I mean that of Jacob. He lay on the ground, and a stone was under his head. Therefore also, he saw the symbolical... Read more