Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Epistles XLI to LI.
My summary
Today we read letters:
(i) from Cyprian to Cornelius;
(ii) from Cyprian to the Roman Confessors;
(iii) from Cornelius to Cyprian;
(iv) from Maximus and other Confessors to Cyprian;
(v) from Cyprian to Antonianus.
The majority of the letters dealt with the division in the church in Rome caused by Novatian. Thankfully Cyprian is able to affirm Cornelius' rightful position as bishop and some of the divided returned to the fold.
What grabbed me
Reading about church divisions is always unpleasant. So I thoroughly enjoyed Cyprian's response to Maximus' letter of reconciliation: 'Cyprian to Maximus the presbyter, also to Urbanus, and Sidonius, and Macharius, his brethren, greeting. When I read your letters, dearest brethren, that you wrote to me about your return, and about the peace of the Church, and the brotherly restoration, I confess that I was as greatly overjoyed as I had before been overjoyed when I learnt the glory of your confession, and thankfully received tidings of the heavenly and spiritual renown of your warfare. For this, moreover, is another confession of your faith and praise; to confess that the Church is one, and not to become a sharer in other men's error, or rather wickedness; to seek anew the same camp whence you went forth, whence with the most vigorous strength you leapt forth to wage the battle and to subdue the adversary. For the trophies from the battle-field ought to be brought back thither whence the arms for the field had been received, lest the Church of Christ should not retain those same glorious warriors whom Christ had furnished for glory. Now, however, you have kept in the peace of the Lord the fitting tenor of your faith and the law of undivided charity and concord, and have given by your walk an example of love and peace to others; so that the truth of the Church, and the unity of the Gospel mystery which is held by us, are also linked together by your consent and bond; and confessors of Christ do not become the leaders of error, after having stood forth as praiseworthy originators of virtue and honour.'
Reconciliation between brothers should always cause rejoicing.
Next week's reading
Read Epistles LII to LIV.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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