Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

On Monday of Holy Week our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (10:19-39) entitled "Perseverance in faith. Awaiting God's judgement". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop.

Saint Augustine was born at Tagaste in Africa in 354. He was unsettled and restlessly searched for the truth until he was converted to the faith in Milan and baptized by Ambrose. Returning to his homeland, he embraced an ascetic life and subsequently was elected bishop of Hippo. For thirty-four years he guided his flock, instructing it with sermons and many writings.

Saint Augustine is perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. He adapted Classical teaching and created a powerful theological system of lasting influence. He also shaped the practice of biblical exegesis and helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought.

Saint Augustine of Hippo made his primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church by deeply explaining the relationship between God's grace and human salvation. In response to errors such as Pelagianism, he taught that humanity, wounded by sin, cannot save itself but is restored through the grace of God working within us. Augustine clarified the Church's understanding of original sin, divine grace, and the need for God's initiative in conversion, while also shaping Christian thought on the Trinity, the Church, and the inner life of the soul. His writings—especially the Confessions and The City of God—became foundational for Western Christian theology and continue to guide the Church's understanding of sin, grace, and redemption.

He fought bravely against the errors of his time and explained the Faith carefully and cogently through his writings. He is a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His most important teachings shape not only Western theology but the entire intellectual tradition of the Church. His thought deeply influenced later figures such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and remains foundational in Catholic doctrine. He died in 430.

As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Passion Sunday of Holy Week our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (10:1-18) entitled "We are sanctified by through the offering of Christ". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop.

Saint Andrew of Crete, also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was an eighth century bishop, theologian, homilist, and hymnographer. He is venerated as a saint in both Eastern Orthodoxy and the Catholic Church.

Saint Andrew's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church lies in his profound development of sacred hymnody as a vehicle for theology, most especially through the Great Canon. In this masterwork, he wove together Scripture, repentance, and personal conversion into a deeply reflective and poetic form, helping the faithful enter more fully into the reality of sin, the need for repentance, and the mercy of God. His contribution is not a new doctrinal formulation, but a powerful way of teaching and interiorizing doctrine—especially repentance and salvation—through liturgical prayer, shaping the spiritual life of the Church in a lasting way. Nine canons are assigned to him.

As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (8;1-13) entitled "The priesthood of Christ in the New Covenant". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop.

Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, often called Gregory the "theologian", was an early Roman Christian theologian and prelate who served as Archbishop of Constantinople from 380 to 381. He is known for instituting the first recorded large-scale mission from Rome, the Gregorian mission, to convert the then largely pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. Gregory is also well known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as pope. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age.

Saint Gregory Nazianzen's primary contribution to teachings of the Church was articulating and defending the Church's doctrine of the Trinity—especially the divinity of the Holy Spirit—helping shape the theology affirmed at the Council of Constantinople and expressed in the Nicene Creed. He died in 390.

As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (7:11-28) entitled "The eternal priesthood of Christ". Our treasure, which follows, is from a treatise on faith addressed to Peter by Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe, bishop.

Saint Fulgentius was a follower of Saint Augustine's ideal of life and a student of Saint Augustine's theological teachings. Saint Fulgentius was a north African Christian prelate who served as Bishop of Ruspe and was a theological writer in modern-day, Tunisia, during the fifth and sixth century who defended orthodoxy against Arianism. He is known for his "heroic sanctity".

Saint Fulgentius' primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church was his clear and forceful defense of orthodox doctrine on grace and salvation, especially against semi-Pelagianism. Drawing heavily from Saint Augustine of Hippo, he taught that salvation is entirely the work of God's grace—freely given and not earned by human effort—while still affirming the necessity of human cooperation with that grace. His writings helped preserve and transmit Augustine's theology to later generations, particularly emphasizing the absolute necessity of grace, the reality of original sin, and the Church's role in salvation.

Saint Fulgentius wrote "On Faith Addressed to Peter" to guide Peter, who was preparing for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and to equip him with a strong doctrinal foundation against Eastern heresies, particularly those that had gained traction after the widespread rejection of certain theological positions.

The central teaching of "On Faith Addressed to Peter" is the absolute necessity of holding the true Catholic faith—especially regarding the mystery of the Trinity and the Incarnation—for salvation. Fulgentius emphasizes that there is one true faith, faithfully preserved in the Catholic Church, which includes belief in one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and in Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man; to knowingly reject or distort this faith is to separate oneself from salvation

As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (7:1-10) entitled "Melchizedek is a type of a perfect priest". Our treasure, which follows, is from the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council.

Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. As is customary with significant Roman Catholic Church documents, it is known by its incipit, "Lumen gentium", Latin for 'Light of the Nations'. The document's purpose is to declare and explain that the Church is, at its core, a mystery of communion—the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit—in which all the baptized share in Christ's mission. Rather than seeing the Church only as a hierarchical institution, it emphasizes that every member, clergy and laity alike, is called to holiness and to participate in the Church's mission of bringing Christ to the world, each according to their vocation.

As early as the second century, this letter or treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The author saw the addressees in danger of apostasy from their Christian faith. This danger was due not to any persecution from outsiders but to a weariness with the demands of Christian life and a growing indifference to their calling. The author's main theme, the priesthood and sacrifice of Jesus, is not developed for its own sake but as a means of restoring their lost fervor and strengthening them in their faith. Another important theme of the letter is that of the pilgrimage of the people of God to the heavenly Jerusalem. This theme is intimately connected with that of Jesus' ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

Today, March 25, as our Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation we are first invited to read and reflect on a passage from the first book of Chronicles (17:1-15) entitled "A prophecy about the Son of David." Our treasure, which follows, is from a letter by Saint Leo the Great, Pope.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Feast of the Annunciation is observed almost universally throughout Christianity, especially within the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism. It is a major Marian feast, classified as a solemnity in the Catholic Church because it announces the incarnation of Christ, it is counted as one of the eight great feasts of the Lord. The importance attached to the Annunciation, especially in the Catholic Church, are the Angelus and the Hail Mary prayers, the event's position as the first Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Novena for the Feast of the Annunciation, and the numerous depictions of the Annunciation in Christian art.

Saint Leo became pope in the year 440. Saint Leo was a Roman aristocrat, and was the first pope to have been called "the Great". Saint Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched into many areas of the church, indicative of his notion of the pope's total responsibility for the flock of Christ. In the 96 sermons which have come down to us, we find Leo stressing the virtues of almsgiving, fasting, and prayer, and expounding Catholic doctrine with clarity and conciseness, particularly the dogma of the Incarnation. Leo is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452 and having persuaded him to turn back from his invasion of Italy.

Saint Leo the Great's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church was his clear articulation of the two natures of Christ—fully divine and fully human—united in one person. In his famous Tome of Leo, he explained that Jesus Christ possesses both natures without confusion or division, a teaching that was affirmed by the bishops at the Council of Chalcedon and became a cornerstone of Catholic Christology. Leo also strengthened the understanding of the authority of the Bishop of Rome as successor of Saint Peter the Apostle, helping shape the doctrine of the papacy while safeguarding the Church's teaching about who Christ truly is.

The Books of Chronicles record in some detail the lengthy span (some five hundred fifty years) from the death of King Saul to the return from the exile. Unlike today's history writing, wherein factual accuracy and impartiality of judgment are the norm, biblical history, with rare exceptions, was less concerned with reporting in precise detail all the facts of a situation than with drawing out the meaning of those facts. Biblical history was thus primarily interpretative, and its purpose was to disclose the action of the living God in human affairs. For this reason, we speak of it as "sacred history."

The primary message of the Books of Chronicles is that faithfulness to God—especially through right worship, obedience, and reliance on Him—brings blessing and restoration, while unfaithfulness leads to decline. Written with a focus on the temple, the priesthood, and the line of David, the book reassures God's people after exile that He remains faithful to His covenant and is always ready to restore those who return to Him with sincere hearts.

On Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (3:1-19) entitled "Jesus, the apostle of our faith". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope.

Saint Leo became pope in the year 440. Saint Leo was a Roman aristocrat, and was the first pope to have been called "the Great". Saint Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched into many areas of the church, indicative of his notion of the pope's total responsibility for the flock of Christ. In the 96 sermons which have come down to us, we find Leo stressing the virtues of almsgiving, fasting, and prayer, and expounding Catholic doctrine with clarity and conciseness, particularly the dogma of the Incarnation. Leo is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452 and having persuaded him to turn back from his invasion of Italy.

Saint Leo the Great's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church was his clear articulation of the two natures of Christ—fully divine and fully human—united in one person. In his famous Tome of Leo, he explained that Jesus Christ possesses both natures without confusion or division, a teaching that was affirmed by the bishops at the Council of Chalcedon and became a cornerstone of Catholic Christology. Leo also strengthened the understanding of the authority of the Bishop of Rome as successor of Saint Peter the Apostle, helping shape the doctrine of the papacy while safeguarding the Church's teaching about who Christ truly is.

As early as the second century, this treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter to the Hebrews (2:5-18) entitled "Jesus, the author of salvation, has become like us in every way". Our treasure, which follows, is from the commentary on the psalms by Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr.

Saint John Fisher was an English Catholic bishop, Cardinal, and theologian. St. John Fisher was also an academic and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. His primary contribution to the teachings of the Church was courageously defending the authority of the Church and the primacy of the Pope in matters of faith and conscience, even at the cost of his life. Opposing the actions of Henry VIII, he refused to accept the king's claim over the Church in England, affirming that true unity and doctrine rest in fidelity to Christ and His Church. His martyrdom stands as a lasting witness that the truth of the faith must be upheld with integrity, no matter the personal cost.

He is honored as a martyr by the Church after being executed by a single blow of the axe on June 22, 1535

Commentary on the Psalms by John Fisher teaches that the Psalms are a living school of prayer in which the soul learns to trust God in every circumstance. Fisher presents the Psalms as expressing the full range of human experience—sorrow, repentance, hope, and praise—while constantly directing the believer toward deeper faith in Jesus Christ. Their central message is that through prayer rooted in Scripture, the faithful are drawn into closer union with God, learning to rely on His mercy and remain steadfast through trials.

As early as the second century, this treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the beginning of the letter to the Hebrews (20:1-13; 21:4-9) entitled "The Son and heir of all things is exalted above the angels". Our treasure, which follows, is from an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop.

Saint Athanasius was born at Alexandria in 295. He served as Patriarch of Alexandria for a period of his life, leading the church in Egypt and playing a significant role in shaping the early church. He accompanied Alexander to the Council of Nicaea and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria.

Saint Atanasius defended the full divinity of Jesus Christ against the heresy of Arianism, insisting that the Son is truly God and "of the same substance" as the Father. Despite exile and opposition, he upheld the faith defined at the First Council of Nicaea (325), preserving the truth that only if Christ is fully divine can He truly save us. His unwavering witness secured the Church's understanding of the Trinity and made him one of the most important defenders of orthodox Christology.

His writings are outstanding in their explanation and defense of the true teachings of the faith. Athanasius penned numerous theological treatises, including "On the Incarnation" and the "Four Orations Against the Arians," which are still studied for their profound insights into the nature of Christ. His writings, particularly "The Life of St. Antony," a biography of the desert father that influenced the growth of monasticism in both the East and the West, are believed to have played a significant role in the conversion of St. Augustine.

Saint Athanasius is a Doctor of the Church. He died in 373.

As early as the second century, this treatise, which is of great rhetorical power and force in its admonition to faithful pilgrimage under Christ's leadership, bore the title "To the Hebrews." It was assumed to be directed to Jewish Christians. Usually, Hebrews was attached in Greek manuscripts to the collection of letters by Paul. Although no author is mentioned (for there is no address), a reference to Timothy suggested connections to the circle of Paul and his assistants. Yet the exact audience, the author, and even whether Hebrews is a letter have long been disputed.

The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal High Priest who fulfills and surpasses the old covenant, offering Himself once for all for the salvation of humanity. The letter teaches that through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and it calls them to persevere in faith, especially in times of trial, trusting in His definitive sacrifice. By showing how Christ completes the meaning of the Law, priesthood, and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Hebrews urges Christians to remain steadfast, confident, and faithful to Him.

On Saturday the Fourth Week of Lent our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Numbers (20:1-13; 21:4-9) entitled "The waters of Meribah. The bronze serpent". Our treasure, which follows, is from the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council.

Gaudium et spes ("Joys and Hopes"), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, is one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It was the last and longest published document from the council and is the first constitution published by a Catholic ecumenical council to address the entire world. Gaudium et spes clarified and reoriented the role of the church's mission to people outside of the Catholic faith. It was the first time that the church took explicit responsibility for its role in the larger world. The constitution's creation was necessitated by fear of the irrelevance in the modern era due to its ignorance on problems that plague the modern world.

The central teaching of Gaudium et Spes is that the Church is called to engage the modern world with hope, recognizing the dignity of every human person and the presence of God's grace within human history. It teaches that human joys and sufferings are shared by the followers of Jesus Christ, and that true human fulfillment is found in Him. The document emphasizes that the Church must work for justice, peace, family life, and the common good, while proclaiming that Christ fully reveals both God and the true meaning of the human person.

The Book of Numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the Hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end of the journey in the wilderness. It continues the story of that journey begun in Exodus and describes briefly the experiences of the Israelites for a period of thirty-eight years, from the end of their encampment at Sinai to their arrival at the border of the promised land. Numerous legal ordinances are interspersed in the account, making the book a combination of law and history.

The central message of the Book of Numbers is that God remains faithful to His people even when they are unfaithful, and He calls them to trust and obey Him on the journey to the Promised Land. Through Israel's repeated complaints, rebellions, and failures in the wilderness, the book shows the consequences of distrust and disobedience, yet also reveals God's enduring guidance, mercy, and commitment to His covenant. Ultimately, it teaches that progress toward God's promises requires faith, perseverance, and reliance on His leadership, even during times of trials and uncertainty.