Today’s Readings – Saint Justin, Martyr

St Justin, Martyr (Memorial)

Justin (100-165) was an early Christian apologist (i.e. a defender of the Christian faith against heresies and false beliefs). His works represent the earliest surviving Christian apologies of significance. Most of what we know about the life of Justin comes from his own writings, although it has to be read with some caution.

He was born at Flavia Neapolis (ancient Shechem in Judaea and now modern-day Nablus). He called himself a Samaritan, but his father and grandfather were probably Greek or Roman and he was brought up a non-believer. It seems that Justin had property, studied philosophy, converted to Christianity about the age of 30, and devoted the rest of his life to teaching what he considered the true philosophy, still wearing his philosopher&rsqu … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Commentary on Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16; Psalm Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 1:39-56

Today’s feast commemorates the visit that Mary, already pregnant with Jesus, made to her older cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with the future John the Baptist.

This story comes in the Infancy … Continue