It is not possible for man to control his anger when abused, or to overcome trials with patients when the afflicted, if he is not willing to take the last and the lowest place among other man. But a man who has attained a true humility will not be troubled by offensive or ignominious, since he is already aware of his own great unworthiness even before he is insulted. And should he be called a beggar, he already knows he is poor, and in want of everything, and that he has need each day of God’s help. If he is spoken of as insignificant and of no importance he is already aware of this in his own heart: but he was made from clay. In a word, let me say … Read entire article »

Text: Mark 8:1-9 We must therefore meditate deeply upon the sacred teaching that proceeds from the lips of truth when he says: for some of them came from afar off. For it is such as have nothing to do with the evil doing and carnal corruption who hastened to serve the Omnipotent God. He does not come from afar off who through innocence and integrity of soul was already close to God. Another, free of unchastity, stained by no evil, who has known only marriage, devotes himself to the works of the spirit; neither does he come from afar off: for by reason of his service to God he does not wander far from him after things forbidden. then there are those who after the sins of the flesh, after having … Read entire article »

Text: Mark 8:1-9 There the people sat on the grass; here upon the ground. On both occasions the same manner of speech, the same grace, the same power, the one Divinity. There they sit on grass; that is, upon the dead works of the flesh-for all flesh is grass, as the prophet says (Isaiah 40). Here they sit upon the ground; that is, they tread down the things of earth. There  5000 are fed, and this number has reference to the Jews; for Peter, after the resurrection of the Lord, lifted up his voice, and the number who believed was made 5000. But here are 4000; which means that all peoples, from the four points of the heavens, are filled with the sevenfold grace of the Spirit unto life eternal. And so, … Read entire article »

Re: Mark 8:1-9 In the earlier account of the five loaves and two fishes he fed 5000 men; here he feeds 4000 men from seven loaves and a few fishes. There the disciples suggest to the Lord, saying: this is a desert place, and the hour is now past; send away the multitudes, that going into the towns they may buy themselves victuals. Here the disciples are wholly silent. It is the Lord alone who is solicitous for them. Let us see why they are silent. Because they were not yet sent to preach to the Gentiles, but rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Therefore the first parable relates to the Jews, but this to the Gentiles. There, there were five loaves; that is, the five books … Read entire article »

This week from Mark 8: 1-9: The Feeding of the Four Thousand. We know that 4000 men were filled from the seven loaves. What could be more wondrous? And this was not all. Seven baskets were filled with fragments that remained. Oh mighty mysteries! They were wrought; and the works have spoken. For these works, if you understand them, are also words. and you are also part of the 4000, because you live under the fourfold Gospel. The women and children were not included in the number…. As though those who are without understanding, and the effeminate, are outside the number, nevertheless let these also eat. Let them eat. Perhaps the children will grow up, and be children no more. Let the effeminate be reformed, and be sanctified. Let them eat. … Read entire article »

St. Cyril of Alexandria And now reflect together with me, beloved, upon the extent of the Kingdom of our Savior, and upon the wondrous wisdom of his divine purposes. For, he says, the number of the sheep is 100; here referring to the full and perfect number of the rational beings subject to him. The number of hundred is ever the perfect number, made up of 10 decades. From the inspired Scripture we learned that a thousand thousands minister to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand surround his throne (Dan. 7:10). A hundred therefore is the number of his sheep, of whom one wondered from the flock, namely, the race of men, and for which the Supreme Pastor of all goes searching, leaving the rest, that is, the remaining 99, … Read entire article »