On Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Revelation (21:9-27) entitled "The vision of the heavenly Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb". Our treasure, which follows, is from a treatise by Saint Gaudentius of Brescia, bishop.
Saint Gaudentius was Bishop of Brescia in northern Italy and was a theologian and author of many letters and sermons. Saint Gaudentius was consecrated by Saint Ambrose in 387 and remained as bishop of Brescia until 410. A record of the discourse given by Gaudentius on the occasion of his consecration is preserved. He reported upon his consecration that he had brought relics back with him from the Holy Land, relics of John the Baptist, the Apostles, relics of saints from Milan, and of the forty martyrs of Sebastes. He deposited these relics in a basilica that he named "Concilium Sanctorum", and wrote a sermon upon its dedication.
Saint Gaudentius of Brescia wrote several treatises, most notably a series of ten Easter sermons. These ten sermons, dedicated to Benevolus, were written after being delivered and are considered a key part of Gaudentius's legacy. They explore the Paschal mystery, emphasizing Christ's role as the true Paschal Lamb and the significance of the Lord's Supper.
Saint Gaudentius wrote eleven addresses covering various topics. These addresses are characterized by their simplicity and beautiful thoughts, reflecting his style. Two letters by Gaudentius also survive. A post-baptismal instruction on the sacraments, known as "mystagogia," is also attributed to him. These works offer insights into his theological views. Gaudentius strongly believed in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He saw the Eucharist as a transformative experience, offering life and holiness.
Saint Gaudentius's writings provide valuable insights into the theological beliefs and practices of the early Church. His emphasis on the real presence and the importance of the sacraments remains relevant today. His sermons and addresses offer a glimpse into the spiritual life and concerns of Christians in his time.
The Apocalypse, or Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an outstanding example. Such literature enjoyed wide popularity in both Jewish and Christian circles from ca. 200 B.C. to A.D. 200.
This book contains an account of visions in symbolic and allegorical language borrowed extensively from the Old Testament, especially Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel. Whether or not these visions were real experiences of the author or simply literary conventions employed by him is an open question.
