Saint Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Theological discourse 4.21
Following the Lamb of God
Jesus is Son of Man, both on account of Adam and of the Virgin from whom he came… He is Christ, the Anointed One, because of his Godhead, for this is the anointing of his manhood… presence in his fulness of the Anointing One… He is the Way, because he leads us through himself; Door, as letting us in; Shepherd, as making us dwell in green pastures and bringing us up to the waters of rest, leading us there and protecting us from wild beasts, restoring the erring and bringing back the lost sheep. He binds the wounded, guards the strong, and thanks to his words of pastoral knowledge he gathers them together into the Fold on high.
He is also the Sheep, because he is victim. He is Lamb, because he is perfect. He is High priest, because he offers sacrifice. He is Priest according to Melchizedek because he is without mother in the heavenly realm and without father here below, and he is without genealogy above for, Scripture says: "who shall declare His generation?" Moreover, he is Melchizedek because he is King of Salem, which means King of Peace and King of Righteousness… These are the titles of the Son, Jesus Christ,… who is "the same yesterday and today" both in the flesh and in the spirit "and for ever." Amen.
(Biblical references: Mt 24:27; Mt 1:16; Jn 14:6; Jn 10:9; Jn 11; Ps 22; Is 53:7; Jn 1:29; Heb 6:2; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:3; Is 53:8; Heb 7:2; Heb 13:8)
Daily Marriage Tip for January 4, 2019:
January is poverty awareness month. How can you as a family help the poor, especially those in your own community? At the least, remember in your prayers today those who are struggling to meet their basic needs.