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Office Of Readings | Week 19, Thursday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Treatise Of Saint Gregory Of Nyssa On Christian Perfection | We Have Jesus Christ Who Is Our Peace And Our Light
‘Jesus Christ is our peace and our light.’
Saint Gregory of Nyssa draws together two biblical images of Christ—peace and light—and makes them measures of Christian authenticity. He begins with peace, taking his cue from Ephesians 2:14: ‘He is our peace, for he has made both one.’ Gregory treats peace not as an abstract quality but as the practical end of reconciliation. Christ has destroyed the ‘enmity’ between Jew and Gentile, and, more fundamentally, between humanity and God. That enmity, he says, must remain dead; resentment and grudges are signs of calling it back to life.
Gregory applies this both outwardly and inwardly. Outwardly, believers are to be reconciled even with those who oppose or harm them. Inwardly, they are to resolve the ‘civil war’ between flesh and spirit. Here he follows Paul’s teaching that the ‘wisdom of the flesh’ can be brought into obedience to God’s law (cf. Romans 8:6–7). When a person is reconciled within, body and soul aligned in the pursuit of virtue, he or she becomes peace—not merely at peace, but embodying it.
The second image is light. Christ, as ‘the true light’ (John 1:9), is utterly without deceit. His light is refracted through the virtues, which Gregory calls ‘rays of the Sun of Justice’ (cf. Malachi 4:2). These virtues dispel darkness, understood here as sin and moral compromise. Walking in the light means living openly and honourably, with nothing hidden or corrupt. For Gregory, this ‘illumination’ is not only personal; like light itself, it radiates outward, influencing and guiding others.
The theme of holiness completes the picture. If Christ is our holiness (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30), then holiness must be visible in conduct, not just claimed in words. Holiness is demonstrated when thoughts, actions and desires are free from impurity. Gregory’s point is uncompromising: calling oneself a Christian is only truthful if one’s life reflects the peace, light, and holiness of Christ.
Gregory’s teaching challenges readers to examine their relationships, their inner conflicts, and the moral transparency of their actions. The unity he describes—within oneself, with others, and with God—is not achieved through sentiment but through deliberate transformation in the likeness of Christ.
A Reading From The Treatise Of Saint Gregory Of Nyssa On Christian Perfection | We Have Jesus Christ Who Is Our Peace And Our Light
He is our peace, for he has made both one. Since we think of Christ as our peace, we may call ourselves true Christians only if our lives express Christ by our own peace. As the Apostle says: He has put enmity to death. We must never allow it to be rekindled in us in any way but must declare that it is absolutely dead. Gloriously has God slain enmity, in order to save us; may we never risk the life of our souls by being resentful or by bearing grudges. We must not awaken that enmity or call it back to life by our wickedness, for it is better left dead.
No, since we possess Christ who is peace, we must put an end to this enmity and live as we believe he lived. He broke down the separating wall, uniting what was divided, bringing about peace by reconciling in his single person those who disagreed. In the same way, we must be reconciled not only with those who attack us from outside, but also with those who stir up dissension within; flesh then will no longer be opposed to the spirit, nor the spirit to the flesh. Once we subject the wisdom of the flesh to God’s law, we shall be re-created as one single man at peace. Then, having become one instead of two, we shall have peace within ourselves.
Now peace is defined as harmony among those who are divided. When, therefore, we end that civil war within our nature and cultivate peace within ourselves, we become peace. By this peace we demonstrate that the name of Christ, which we bear, is authentic and appropriate.
When we consider that Christ is the true light, having nothing in common with deceit, we learn that our own life also must shine with the rays of that true light. Now these rays of the Sun of Justice are the virtues which pour out to enlighten us so that we may put away the works of darkness and walk honorably as in broad daylight. When we reject the deeds of darkness and do everything in the light of day, we become light, and, as light should, we give light to others by our actions.
If we truly think of Christ as our source of holiness, we shall refrain from anything wicked or impure in thought or act and thus show ourselves to be worthy bearers of his name. For the quality of holiness is shown not by what we say but by what we do in life.
Christian Prayer With Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are our peace, breaking down the walls that divide us.
Quell the quarrels in our hearts, heal our grudges,
and reconcile what is torn within us.
Shine upon us with the light of Your truth,
that our lives may reflect Your virtues
and give light to those around us.
Keep us in holiness of thought and action,
so that we may bear Your name with truth
and walk always in the day of Your presence.
Amen.
Glossary Of Christian Terms
Enmity – Deep-seated hostility or hatred; in Scripture, often referring to the state of opposition between humanity and God, or between divided groups.
Flesh and spirit – In Pauline thought, ‘flesh’ refers not simply to the body but to human nature inclined toward sin; ‘spirit’ refers to the human self renewed and led by God’s Spirit.
Wisdom of the flesh – A biblical phrase (cf. Romans 8:6–7) for thinking and desiring according to sinful self-interest rather than God’s will.
Civil war within our nature – Gregory’s image for the inner conflict between sinful desires and the call to virtue.
Sun of Justice – A messianic title from Malachi 4:2 (Hebrew 3:20) describing Christ as the source of righteousness and healing.
Works of darkness – Actions, attitudes, or habits that are morally corrupt or hidden in secrecy, opposed to the light of God’s truth.
Holiness – Separation from sin and dedication to God in thought, word, and deed; not just a status but a lived reality.
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
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