Today the Church commemorates St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
In the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours, a reading is given from St. Cyril's Catechetical Instructions. Given in the fourth century, these instructions are still powerful today for those preparing for the Easter sacraments, and for all Christians. This is a perfect reflection for Lent, a time the Church sets aside as a period of purification and enlightenment for catechumens, and all the faithful.
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
(Catech. 3:1-3: PG 33, 426-430)
Prepare for the Holy Spirit
Rejoice, ye heavens, and let the earth be glad, for those who are to be
sprinkled with hyssop, and cleansed with the spiritual hyssop, the power
of Him to whom at His Passion drink was offered on hyssop and a reed.
And while the Heavenly Powers rejoice, let the souls that are to be
united to the spiritual Bridegroom make themselves ready. For the voice
is heard of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord. For this is no light matter, no ordinary and indiscriminate union
according to the flesh, but the All-searching Spirit's election
according to faith. For the inter-marriages and contracts of the world
are not made altogether with judgment: but wherever there is wealth or
beauty, there the bridegroom speedily approves: but here it is not
beauty of person, but the soul's clear conscience; not the condemned
Mammon, but the wealth of the soul in godliness.
Listen then, O ye children of righteousness, to John's exhortation
when he says, Make straight the way of the Lord. Take away all obstacles
and stumbling-blocks, that ye may walk straight onward to eternal life.
Make ready the vessels of the soul, cleansed by unfeigned faith, for
reception of the Holy Ghost. Begin at once to wash your robes in
repentance, that when called to the bride-chamber ye may be found clean.
For the Bridegroom invites all without distinction, because His grace
is bounteous; and the cry of loud-voiced heralds assembles them all: but
the same Bridegroom afterwards separates those who have come in to the
figurative marriage. O may none of those whose names have now been
enrolled hear the words, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a
wedding garment? But may you all hear, Well done, good and faithful
servant; thou wast faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
For now meanwhile thou standest outside the door: but God grant that
you all may say, The King hath brought me into His chamber. Let my soul
rejoice in the Lord: for He hath clothed me with a garment of salvation,
and a robe of gladness: He hath crowned me with a garland as a
bridegroom, and decked me with ornaments as a bride: that the soul of
every one of you may be found not having spot or wrinkle or any such
thing; I do not mean before you have received the grace, for how could
that be? since it is for remission of sins that ye have been called; but
that, when the grace is to be given, your conscience being found
uncondemned may concur with the grace.
This is in truth a serious matter, brethren, and you must approach it
with good heed. Each one of you is about to be presented to God before
tens of thousands of the Angelic Hosts: the Holy Ghost is about to seal
your souls: ye are to be enrolled in the army of the Great King.
Therefore make you ready, and equip yourselves, by putting on I mean,
not bright apparel, but piety of soul with a good conscience.
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