John of Cressy
Medieval · AD 800–1500 · d. AD 1313 · 4 passages across 2 books
Commentary
1 Kings 19:19-20
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
After receiving the garment from the prophetical hand,
at the same time you have received the privilege,
when you were transformed from worker into a prophet
through the radiance of the Spirit that was glorified.
Since you foreknew, O Christ, the inclination to goodness
Of the heart of Elisha, he has understood with no doubt
The glorious call that you had established and followed it.
at the same time you have received the privilege,
when you were transformed from worker into a prophet
through the radiance of the Spirit that was glorified.
Since you foreknew, O Christ, the inclination to goodness
Of the heart of Elisha, he has understood with no doubt
The glorious call that you had established and followed it.
Luke 1:30-33
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Wonder! God is come among humanity; he who cannot be contained is contained in a womb; the timeless enters time, and great mystery: his conception is without seed, his emptying past telling! So great is this mystery! For God empties himself, takes flesh and is fashioned as a creature, when the angel tells the pure Virgin of her conception: “Rejoice, you who are full of grace; the Lord who has great mercy is with you!”
Luke 2:6-7
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and celebrate, all who love Zion! Today the ancient bond of the condemnation of Adam is loosed. Paradise is opened to us: the serpent is laid low. Of old he deceived the woman in Paradise, but now he sees a woman become mother of the Creator. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! The sinful vessel that brought death upon all flesh has become the first fruits of salvation through the Theotokos for all the world. For from her the all-perfect God is born a child, and by his birth he sets the seal on her virginity. Through his swaddling clothes he looses the bands of sin. And through becoming a child he heals Eve’s pangs in travail. Therefore let all creation sing and dance for joy, for Christ has come to restore it and to save our souls!
Luke 2:8-15
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Heaven and earth are united today, for Christ is born! Today God has come upon earth, and humankind gone up to heaven. Today, for the sake of humankind, the invisible one is seen in the flesh. Therefore let us glorify him and cry aloud: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace bestowed by your coming, Savior: glory to you!Today in Bethlehem, I hear the angels: glory to God in the highest! Glory to him whose good pleasure it was that there be peace on earth! The Virgin is now more spacious than the heavens. Light has shone on those in darkness, exalting the lowly who sing like the angels: Glory to God in the highest!
Beholding him [Adam] who was in God’s image and likeness fallen through transgression, Jesus bowed the heavens and came down, without change taking up his dwelling in a virgin womb, that he might refashion Adam fallen in corruption, and crying out: glory to your epiphany, my Savior and my God!
Beholding him [Adam] who was in God’s image and likeness fallen through transgression, Jesus bowed the heavens and came down, without change taking up his dwelling in a virgin womb, that he might refashion Adam fallen in corruption, and crying out: glory to your epiphany, my Savior and my God!