Gratitude & Thanksgiving

Excerpts from a treatise on Christian Perfection by St Gregory of Nyssa (2nd reading of the Office of Reading, 24 Jun 2019)

    Today’s first reading is so instructive.  It reminds us not to neglect the grace of God that we have received. “ We do nothing that people might object to, so as not to bring discredit on our function as God’s servants. Instead, we prove we are servants of God by great fortitude • in times of suffering : • In hardship and distress ; • when we are flogged , or sent to prison , or mobbed ; • When we are labouring , sleepless , starving . We prove we are God’s servants • by our purity , knowledge , patience and kindness ; • by a spirit of holiness , • by a love free from affectation ; • by the word of truth and by the power of God; • by being armed with the weapons of righteousness • By being prepared for honour or disgrace , for blame or praise; • By being ready to be taken     ◦ for impostors while we are genuine;     ◦ obscure yet famous;     ◦ said to be dying ...

  "The Trinity in its Glory (Enthronement of the Virgin)", miniature (1450s) by Jean Fouquet (1420-), from the Hours of Etienne Chevalier. A letter by St Athanasius Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity We acknowledge the Trinity,   holy and perfect , to consist of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   There is no intrusion of any alien element or of anything from outside, nor is the Trinity a blend of creative and created being. It is a wholly creative and energising reality , self-consistent and undivided in its active power, for the Father makes all things through the Word and in the Holy Spirit , and in this way the unity of the holy Trinity is preserved. God is above all things as Father, for he is principle and source; he is through all things through the Word; and he is in all things in the Holy Spirit.     Even the gifts that the Spirit dispenses to individuals are given by the Father through the Word...