Wednesday, May 8 : Saint Cyril of Alexandria

The Son made known the name of God the Father to teach us and make us fully comprehend not that he is the only God, for inspired Scripture had proclaimed that even before the coming of the Son, but that besides being truly God he is also rightly called “Father.” This is so because in himself proceeding from himself he has a Son possessed of the same eternal nature as his own. To call God “Father” is more exact than to call him “God.” The word “God” signifies his dignity, but the word “Father” points to the distinctive attribute of his Person. If we say “God” we declare him to be Lord of the universe; if we call him “Father” we show the way in which he is distinct as a Person, for we make known the fact that he has a Son. The Son himself gave God the name of Father, as being in some sense the more appropriate and truer appellation, when he said, not “I and God” but, I and the Father are one (Jn 10,30), and also, with reference to himself, “On him has God the Father set his seal” (Jn 6,27). But when he commanded his disciples to baptize all nations, he did not tell them to do this in the name of God, but expressly ordained that they were to do it in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28,19).

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team