01 June 2010

Patristic Quote of the Day

Those who have the means help all those in need; and we are always together.  And we bless the Maker of all things through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit over all that we receive.  And on the day called Sun-day an assembly is held in one place of all who live in town or country, and the records of the apostles or writings of the prophets are read for as long as time allows.  Then, when the reader has finished, the president in a discourse admonishes and invites us into the pattern of these good things.  Then we all stand up together and offer prayers; and as we said before, when we have finished praying, bread and wine and water are brought up, and the president likewise offers prayers and thanksgivings to the best of his ability, and the people assent, saying the Amen; and there is a distribution, and everyone participates in (the elements) over which thanks have been given; and they are sent through the deacons to those who are not present.  -- St. Justin Martyr, First Apology, par 67:1-5

1 comment:

Rev. Eric J Brown said...

The phrase "invites us into the pattern of these good things" is really quite profound. As Christians we are to be conformed to the Word, to adhere and fit into the pattern the Word presents (which is really the pattern of Christ). This is such an un-American idea where we prize individually (even as we conform and fit ourselves to the patterns of pop culture). Interesting food for thought.