by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Christ’s greatest gift to the Church is the gift of the Holy Spirit; this gift is, moreover, original, unique, and exclusive. Now if someone finds this assertion unsurprising, I suspect he may not have given it the critical reflection it calls for. There should be at least a few faithful […]
Sunspots in Scripture
June 24, 2015 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon The account of Ananias and Sapphira is arguably the most frightening story in the New Testament. We are scarcely surprised by St. Luke’s comment that “great fear came upon all the Church and upon all who heard these things.” In Luke’s bright account of the grace of the Holy Spirit […]
What the Holy Spirit Preserves Only in the Church
December 1, 2014 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church is not only original, unique, and exclusive, it is also permanent. This gift is as irrevocable as the Incarnation itself. Much as the event of the Word’s enfleshment irrevocably links the Second Person of the Holy Trinity to the human race, […]
When the Holy Spirit REALLY Speaks, What Does He Say?
September 20, 2014 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon When our Lord spoke of his coming departure from this world, he described it as an advantage to us. “It is to your advantage (sympherei hymin),” he declared, “that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I depart, […]
The Church’s Unique Gift
September 12, 2014 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Christ’s greatest gift to the Church is the gift of the Holy Spirit; this gift is, moreover, original, unique, and exclusive. Now if anyone finds this assertion unsurprising, I suspect he may not have given it the critical reflection it calls for. There should be at least a few faithful […]
Why The Eternal Word Was Baptized
January 3, 2014 By
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon From the traditional accounts of Jesus’ Baptism, the Gospel of John preserves only one detail: the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus in the likeness of a dove. This detail is preserved, moreover, not directly in narrative itself, but in a quotation from John the Baptist: “I saw the […]
Why Didn’t the Holy Spirit Come Right After the Ascension?
May 26, 2012 By
by St. John Chrysostom But why did the Holy Spirit come to them, not while Christ was present, nor even immediately after his departure, but, whereas Christ ascended on the fortieth day, the Spirit descended “when the day of Pentecost,” that is, the fiftieth, “was fully come?”(Acts 2:1) And how was it, if the Spirit […]
On What Can Be Known About God
January 14, 2011 By
by St. John of Damascus Our venerable and God-bearing Father John of Damascus was also known as John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas, “streaming with gold,” (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas (Mar Saba), South East of Jerusalem. He is also recognized as a […]
