5th Century Enviornmentalism

I found this piece from a sermon by Leo the Great who was Bishop of Rome in the 450ish time frame when I was looking for some food for thought for our parish Facebook group.

Who knew that there were enviormentalists in the 5th century?

"Use creatures as they should be used: the earth, the sea, the sky, the air, the springs and the rivers. Give praise and glory to their Creator for all that you find beautiful and wonderful in them. See with your bodily eyes the light that shines on earht, but embrae with your whole soul and all your affections 'the true light which enlightens everyone who comes into this world.' Speaking of this light the prophet said: "Draw close to him and let his light shine upon you and your face will not blush with shame.' If indeed the temple of God and if the Spirit of God lives in us, then what every believer has within is greater than what the believer admires in the skies."

I just think that's so cool - I love looking at the stars and I'm inspiried by the thought that because the Spirit of God lives in me then what I have within is greater than Orion.

Confession of St. Peter

Today is the day that the Church celebrates the Confession of St. Peter. That is, the time when Jesus asked his disciples - "who do you say that I am?" and Peter responded - "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

So a good question for today for us is "Who do you say that He is?" and once you've answered that question - answer the next, "What does that mean for you?"

From Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, c.202 AD

This is from his treatise Against Heresies:

"Through creation itself the Word reveals God the Creator. Through the world he reveals the Lord who made the world. Through all that is fahioned he reveals the artist who crafted it all."

So - what does creation show you about God? What does the world show about God? How do you see God in the world and what does what you see in creation tell you about God?

Occaisonal Thoughts

I'm going to try something new this year - I am occaisionally going to post some thoughts from theologians of various times and places for consideration and comment if you like.

Here's the first one - this comes from St. Basil the Great who was Bishop of Caesarea in the 370's. This is from his treatise On the Holy Spirit.

"As we speak of worship in the Son becasue the Son is the image of God the Father, so we speak of worship in the Spirit becasue the Spirit is the manifestation of the divinity of the Lord. Through the light of the Spirit we behold the son, the splendor of God's glory, and through the Son, the very stamp of the Father, we are led to him who is the source both of his stamp, who is the Son, and of its seal, who is the Spirit."

What do you think? How might we today describe the relationship between the Father, the Son and the Spirit? And how do we worship each?