Tag Archives: purification

Blessed are they (Solemnity of All Saints)

“And I saw a second angel coming up from the east, with the seal of the living God. And he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels who were empowered to lay waste land and sea; ‘Do not lay waste land or sea or wood, until we have put a seal onContinue reading “Blessed are they (Solemnity of All Saints)”

Ritual washings (Sunday XXII of Ordered time)

I think that one of the reasons the Pharisees and the disciples of Christ had so many arguments, as we are told by the gospel stories, is that they were both groups of orthodox Jews. And in the best tradition of the Jewish people, the Orthodox have a good old argument every now and againContinue reading “Ritual washings (Sunday XXII of Ordered time)”

Reading through the Book of Numbers

This fourth book of the Torah is mixed material. It begins with a detailed census of the people who found themselves at the foot of Mount Sinai, being entered into a serious covenant with the God of their forefathers. This was done in the second year after the escape from Egypt, and counts a surprisingContinue reading “Reading through the Book of Numbers”

Surviving remnants (Sunday IV of Lent)

Our religion is one of resurrection, and if we look down the history of the people of God, first in Scripture and then in Church history, we find that with every great destruction of the people a small remnant survives in faith and devotion and becomes prosperous again. We’ve heard of the proverb that historyContinue reading “Surviving remnants (Sunday IV of Lent)”

Commandments of love (Sunday III of Lent)

I would like to look at the readings this weekend very broadly. I shall give the usual introduction I give at our scripture-study hours. The problem mankind has had, from its very beginning, is its determination to ignore the direction or guidance of the God Who made it – the Shepherd King of hearts –Continue reading “Commandments of love (Sunday III of Lent)”