Christian Art | Jesus Preaches To The Multitudes From A Fishing Boat
Office Of Readings | Week 30, Tuesday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Letter Of Pope Saint Clement I To The Corinthians | God Is Ever True To His Word
‘God is faithful in his promises.’
Saint Clement’s reflection on divine fidelity presents an early instance of Christian reasoning that links observation of the natural order with trust in the promise of resurrection. The structure of the argument proceeds by analogy: the visible alternation of night and day, the decay and renewal of seed, the continuous pattern of the seasons, all provide evidence that death does not end a process but belongs within it. The ordered rhythm of nature is treated not as mere metaphor but as a form of testimony, available to perception and open to interpretation by faith.
In the world that Clement describes, nothing stands apart from divine intention. The same power that establishes natural processes also governs their renewal. The resurrection of Christ is described as the ‘first fruits’, an agricultural term which positions his rising as the beginning of a wider harvest. The sequence of sowing and reaping thus becomes both a sign and a demonstration: what occurs in the field displays what God will accomplish in humanity. The pattern of life emerging from decay is not random but indicative of a universal principle sustained by divine reliability.
Clement’s statement that ‘nothing is impossible for God except to tell a lie’ sets a boundary on the understanding of omnipotence. The divine will cannot contradict the divine nature. Power and truth are not separable attributes; they belong to a single reality in which action and being are consistent. This principle ensures that the promises of God, once given, cannot fail. For Clement, the reliability of creation reflects the reliability of its maker, and therefore belief in the resurrection rests upon observation of the world as it is maintained by that maker.
The reading moves from cosmology to ethics. Because all things are known and sustained by God, the human response must be reverence expressed through moral discipline. Clement quotes and reinterprets verses from the Psalms to illustrate the inescapability of the divine presence. The awareness that nothing is hidden is not treated as threat but as condition: existence itself takes place within the range of divine perception. To live rightly, therefore, is to live in accordance with the structure of that perception, with no division between inward thought and outward act.
The reading turns to worship. The image of ‘hands pure and undefiled’ links the inner life to the external gesture of prayer. Purity is defined not as withdrawal from the world but as fitness for communication with the one whose ‘hands embrace the universe’. Clement’s thought remains consistent: the same divine reality that orders the cosmos receives the prayer of the individual. The believer stands within a comprehensive order that includes both nature and grace, both the processes of the earth and the promise of resurrection.
A Reading From The Letter Of Pope Saint Clement I To The Corinthians | God Is Ever True To His Word
Consider, beloved, how the Lord keeps reminding us of the resurrection that is to come, of which he has made the Lord Jesus Christ the first fruits by raising him from the dead. Let us look, beloved, at the resurrection that occurs as its appointed time. Day and night show us a resurrection; the night lies in sleep, day rises again; the day departs, night takes its place. Let us think about the harvest; how does the sowing take place, and in what manner? The sower goes out and casts each seed onto the ground. Dry and bare, they fall into the earth and decay. Then the greatness of the Lord’s providence raises them up again from decay, and out of one many are produced and yield fruit.
In this hope, then, let our hearts be bound fast to him who is faithful in his promises and just in his judgments. He forbade us to tell lies; still less will he himself tell a lie. Nothing is impossible for God except to tell a lie. Then let our faith in him be awakened; let us reflect that everything is close to him.
By the word of his power he established all things, and by his word he can reduce them to ruin. Who shall say to him: What have you done? Who shall stand up against the power of his might? He will accomplish everything when he wills and as he wills, and nothing that he has decreed shall pass away. All things stand in his presence, and nothing lies hidden from his counsel, if the heavens tell forth the glory of God, the firmament reveals the work of his hands, day speaks to day, and night shares knowledge with night; there are no words, no speeches, and their voices are not heard.
Since all things lie open to his eyes and ears, let us hold him in awe and rid ourselves of impure desires to do works of evil, so that we may be protected by his mercy from the judgment that is to come. Which of us can escape his mighty hand? What world will give asylum to one who deserts him? Where will I go, where will I hide from his face? If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go to the limits of the earth, your right hand is there; if I lie down in the deep, your spirit is there. Where, then, can one go, where can one escape to, from the presence of him whose hands embrace the universe?
Let us then approach him in holiness of soul, raising up to him hands pure and undefiled, out of love for our good and merciful Father who made us a chosen portion for himself.
Christian Prayer With Jesus
Faithful God,
whose word sustains all things in order and truth,
renew in us the hope of the resurrection,
and cleanse our hearts from all deceit,
that with pure hands and steadfast faith
we may draw near to you in holiness and peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Glossary Of Christian Terms
Analogy – A form of reasoning in which one reality is interpreted through another; in this context, the natural cycle of decay and renewal is read as a sign of the resurrection.
Providence – The divine ordering and sustaining of creation; not an intervention into chaos but the continuous operation of purpose within the world.
First fruits – A biblical term for the earliest yield of a harvest, consecrated to God; here, it signifies Christ’s resurrection as the initial instance of the general resurrection.
Omnipotence – The attribute of divine power understood as limitless in scope but self-consistent; God cannot act contrary to his own nature or truth.
Immutability – The quality of being unchanging; used of God to denote constancy in will, character and promise.
Epistemology – The study of how knowledge is acquired or justified; relevant here where Clement implies that perception of nature can lead to knowledge of divine purpose.
Ontology – The study of being; in theological terms, the nature of existence as created and sustained by God.
Cosmology – The understanding of the universe as an ordered whole; for Clement, the cosmos is a manifestation of divine harmony.
Teleology – Explanation in terms of purpose or end; Clement’s argument assumes that creation possesses direction and finality under God’s design.
Eschatology – The branch of theology concerned with the last things: death, resurrection, judgment, and the ultimate destiny of creation.
Ethics – The practice of conduct in accordance with divine order; moral discipline as response to the knowledge that all things are open to God.
Immanence – The presence of God within creation; distinct from transcendence yet inseparable from it in Clement’s description of a world held within divine awareness.
Transcendence – The aspect of God’s being that surpasses and contains creation; the source of order that is not itself contained by the created order.
Theophany – A manifestation of the divine within the created world; the natural order can be read as such a manifestation for those with the perception of faith.
Soteriology – The doctrine of salvation; implied in Clement’s claim that resurrection and renewal are the fulfilment of divine promise.
Ascesis – A term from Greek spiritual vocabulary meaning disciplined practice or self-restraint; the ethical form of reverence urged by Clement.
Veracity – Truthfulness or reliability; used here of God’s nature as incapable of falsehood, ensuring the trustworthiness of his promises.
Saint Augustine reflects on Ezekiel 34, where God condemns unfaithful shepherds who exploit the flock for their own benefit while neglecting their pastoral duties. The text distinguishes between the shepherds’ concern for themselves and their neglect of the sheep. The imagery of consuming milk and wearing wool symbolises the material benefits that leaders receive from their communities. These are not illegitimate in themselves, as Paul’s writings indicate, but they become corrupt when they are detached from genuine pastoral care [ … ]
The householder has sown good seed in his field. It is the enemy who has come to corrupt the crop, sowing weeds among the wheat. The weed, cockle, would look very like wheat and could easily be mistaken for wheat until the ears appeared. If ground with the wheat, the flour would be contaminated and the bread nauseas to eat. In the East, personal vengeance might take the form of sowing cockle among an enemy’s wheat [ … ]
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
