The quote for today is from Benedict of Nursia, who is widely regarded as the father of western Christian monasticism.
“Almighty God, give me wisdom to perceive You, intelligence to understand You, diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate upon You and life to proclaim You, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Benedict of Nursia
Today’s quote is from one of the most influential theologians in church history.
“Do not be afraid to throw yourself on the Lord! He will not draw back and let you fall! Put your worries asdie and throw yourself on him; He will welcome you and heal you.” Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
The following is the text of the Nicene Creed, first compiled at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD and revised in the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
“Stand fast in the faith and love one another and don’t let our suffering cause you to stumble.”
Perpetua, a young mother martyred in the area in the city of Carthage in 203 AD.
Link to the podcast (Episode 5) on Perpetua here
Second Century:
When the local governor asked Polycarp to deny Christ and promised to release him from impending execution, the choice for martyrdom was made and the reply came:
“Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has never done me injury; how then can I now blaspheme my King and Savior.”
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, circa 155 AD.