Voices ever ancient, ever new. Lent, Week 1: Monday.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, ...” (Matthew 25:35)

In an ancient work known as the Incomplete Work on Matthew, an anonymous Christian writer offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel:

“This can also be said of teachers who gave the food of learning to those hungry for righteousness, so they might be fed and grow healthy in good actions; who administered the drink of truth to those thirsty for the knowledge of God. Teaching in the Word, they certainly fed them and also gave to drink, baptizing in the Holy Spirit those who are strangers in the world. For all souls are truly strangers on this earth who can say, “For I am your passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers.” Preaching the word of faith, they welcome souls from the spreading of error and make them fellow citizens and family members of the saints. They welcome Christ himself and clothe, by teaching righteousness, those who are naked and even without a garment of righteousness. As is written: “Put on, then, compassion, faith, peace and kindness.” That is to say, they clothe Christ and baptize them in Christ, as is written: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”” (Homily 54)




Convert us, O God our Savior,
and instruct our minds by heavenly teaching,
that we may benefit from the works of Lent.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.





Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.