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| Religion Forum Index » Apologetic Forum » July 30th - St. Peter Chrysologus, Doctor of the... |
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| Traudel... |
 Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:11 am |
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July 30th - St. Peter Chrysologus, Doctor of the Church.
Once again we go to 5th century Italy to meet our saint of today. Due to
legends
of uncertain validity and a confusion with two other bishops of Ravenna
named
Peter, biographical data is confusing and uncertain.
Peter is believed to have been born in the year 400 in the town of Imola in
eastern Emelilia, Italy. Under the guidance of Bishop Cornelius of Imola
young
Peter was formed in virtue and came to firmly believe that to command his
passions and govern himself was the only way of putting on the spirit of
Christ.
He was ordained a deacon by Cornelius but it wasn't until the year 431 that
he
was consecrated Bishop of Ravenna, the capital of the empire in the West. He
found large pockets of paganism in his dioceses as well as many abuses among
the
"faithful". He successfully rooted out the one and reformed the other.
Many of his sermons still exist. They were short and perhaps not of great
eloquence. However, they were instructive and the vehemence of his love for
God
came across to such an extent that he was given the surname Chrysologus (of
the
golden word).
Many of his sermons offer Biblical teachings for reading in the liturgical
Offices. While not deep and eloquent, they are filled with moral
applications
for everyday life and historically they give us a good picture of 5th
century
Christian life in Ravenna.
St. Peter Chrysologus recommended frequent communion in order that the Body
of
Christ may be the daily bread of our souls. His sermons also dealt with
major
teachings of the Church on the mysteries of the Incarnation and Birth of
Jesus
as well as sermons for catechumens about the Apostles Creed and the Lord's
Prayer. He died at Ravenna on December 2, 450 and is buried at St. Cassian's
Church. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII in
1729.
While Peter seems to have been an ordinary man of ordinary abilities, his
love
for God was extraordinary and he used the ordinary talents God had given him
to
bring the Word and Love of God to His people. He recognized the evils
present
and just went on to eradicate them in his own simple way. He didn't have the
education and extraordinary talents of Ambrose, Augustine or John
Chrysostom,
his contemporaries, but he did have their same depth of Love and Commitment.
May
his example encourage us to grow in Love and Commitment to God.
See longer version found at:
http://www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com/PC.html
Saint Quote:
"Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ."
-Saint Peter Chrysologus
Bible Quote:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
<><><><>
(What did Jesus do?)
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in
a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning
he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old
bird cage, and set it by the pulpit.
Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor
Thomas began to speak...
I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a
young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage.
On the bottom of the cage were three little wild
birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the
lad and asked, "What you got there, son?"
Just some old birds," came the reply.
What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.
Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered.
I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to
make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."
But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later.
What will you do?"
Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They
like birds. I'll take 'em to them."
The pastor was silent for a moment.
How much do you want for those birds, son?"
Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister.
They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing.
They ain't even pretty!"
How much?" the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and
said, "$10?"
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten
dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a
flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the
cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley
where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting
the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly
tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting
them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage
on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell
this story....
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.
Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he
was gloating and boasting. Yes, sir, I just caught the
world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait
I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"
What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna
teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how
to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and
smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns
and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"
"And what will you do when you get done with them?"
Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.
How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.
Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no
good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate
you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you.
You don't want those people!!"
How much? He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood,
tears and your life."
Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and
he walked from the pulpit.
Notes: Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to
trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in
God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also
believes" in God).
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes
through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but
when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think
twice about sharing.
Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this
message, you will not send it to many on your
address list because you're not sure what they
believe, or what they will think of you for sending
it to them.
Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what
other people think of me than what God thinks of me.
I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire
address book, they will be blessed by God in a way
special for them. And send it back to the person who
sent it, to let them know that indeed it was sent out
to many more! |
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