Charles Williams : The New Christian Year

24th Friday after Trinity (October 31st, 2008)

It is part of righteous living not to stand in fear of things which ought not to be feared . . . In order that no kind of death should trouble an upright man, the cross of this Man had to be set before him, because, of all kinds of death, none was more execrable, more fear-inspiring than this.

St. Augustine: Questions.

God compasses us with songs of deliverance, we are sure he would not leave us; but he compasses us with cries too, we are afraid, we are sure, that we may drive him from us.

John Donne: Sermons.

24th Thursday after Trinity (October 30th, 2008)

Grace is only the type of glory, for it is not the ultimate end.  It has been symbolized by the law, and itself symbolizes (glory).  But it is the type of it, and the origin or cause.

Pascal: Pensées.

The tree lies as it falls; it is true; but yet it is not the last stroke that fells the tree; nor the last word, nor the last gasp that qualifies the soul.

John Donne: Sermons.

24th Wednesday after Trinity (October 29th, 2008)

All the Trinity wrought in the Passion of Christ, ministering abundance of virtues and plenty of grace to us by him: but only the Maiden's Son suffered: whereof all the blessed Trinity endlessly enjoyeth.

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

My me is God, nor do I know my selfhood save in Him.

St. Catherine of Genoa: Life.

The Feast of St. Simon

The Body cannot feel gladness at the trouble of consent in the grief and in labouring for the remedy.  In a company of two is the Church; but the Church is Christ.

Tertullian: On Penitence.

The Feast of St. Jude

In the Christian Church He hath given us means to be better to-day than yesterday, and to-morrow than to-day.  That grace which God offers us in the Church does not only fill that capacity which we have; but gives us a greater capacity than we had: and it is an abuse of God's grace not to improve it, or not to procure such further grace as that present grace makes us capable of.

John Donne: Sermons.

24th Tuesday after Trinity (October 28th, 2008)

Our Lord Jesus oftentimes said: "I it am, I it am: I it am that is highest, I it am that thou lovest, I it am that thou likest, I it am that thou servest, I it am that thou longest for, I it am that thou desirest, I it am that thou meanest, I it am that is all.  I it am that Holy Church preacheth and teacheth thee, I it am that showed me here to thee."

Juliana of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love.

"That that I am, Lord, I offer unto thee; for thou it art."  And think nakedly, plainly, and boisterously, that thou art as thou art, without any manner of curiosity.

The Epistle of Privy Counsel.