Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings: Lectionary Cycle B
Overview
Reading the writings of early church fathers points us to the deep joy that awaits us in Christ when we drink deeply from Scripture, the only water that can give us true life. This guide for reflection combines excerpts from the writings of the church fathers as found in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture with a simple structure for daily or weekly reading and prayer. Included are 52 weeks of readings following the weekly lectionary cycle B which can be read in order or by thematic interest. Each day you will also find a simple opening and closing prayer drawn from the prayers and hymns of the ancient church.
This looks to be an excellent resource for any layperson who wants to learn more about the Scriptures, what they mean, and what the church fathers had to say about them, as well as for clergy, church and school libraries and Education for Ministry groups.
—Lois Sibley, Episcopal Journal, May 2012
Top Highlights
“His Second Coming. Augustine: The first coming of Christ the Lord, God’s Son and our God, was in obscurity. The second will be in sight of the whole world. When he came in obscurity no one recognized him but his own servants. When he comes openly he will be known by both the good and the bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged. When he comes openly it will be to judge. He was silent at his trial, as the prophet foretold.… Silent when accused, he will not be silent as judge. Even now he does not keep silent, if there is anyone to listen. But it says he will not keep silent then, because his voice will be acknowledged even by those who despise it. Sermon 18.1–2.” (Page 14)
“Chrysostom: Tell me what good it is to weed a garden if we do not plant good seed.… Sow good habits and dispositions. To be free from a bad habit does not mean we have formed a good one. We need to take the further step of forming good habits and dispositions to replace what we have left behind. Homily on Ephesians 16.4.31–32.” (Page 189)
“A feigned kindness to the wicked is a betrayal of truth, an act of treachery to the community and a means of habituating oneself to indifference to evil.” (Page 45)
“Bede: Spiritual happiness is gained not by empty words but by putting our good intentions into practice. Concerning the Epistle of St. James.” (Page 204)
“Grace and Labor. Augustine: Paul did not labor in order to receive grace, but he received grace so that he might labor” (Page 102)
- Title: Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings: Lectionary Cycle B
- Authors: Thomas C. Oden, Cindy Crosby
- Series: Ancient Christian Devotional
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible › Devotional literature
- ISBNs: 9780830868810, 9780830835560, 9780830834310, 083086881X, 0830835563, 0830834311
- Resource ID: LLS:ANCHRDEVLECTB
- Resource Type: Calendar Devotional
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T21:52:42Z
Cindy Crosby is the author, contributor to, or compiler of more than twenty books, including By Willoway Brook: Exploring the Landscape of Prayer. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including Publishers Weekly, Books & Culture, Christian Century, and Christianity Today. She speaks and teaches in the Chicago region.
