St. Anthony's Tongue

One servant is handed a fortune. He grabs a shovel.
In this Mass Prep, we look at the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) with St. John Chrysostom. What does fear make us bury? And what might it look like to use what God has given us for somebody who needs it?
From a hole in the ground to an invitation: “Come, share your master’s joy.”

Put down the Christmas lights, Catholic. We’re still praying for the dead.
In this episode of St. Anthony’s Tongue, we read three strange and beautiful Christian texts about death and the Harrowing of Hell. St. John of Damascus weeps beside the grave. St. Ephrem the Syrian gives Death a voice and lets us hear it panic. And in an ancient Holy Saturday homily, Christ takes Adam by the hand and tells him to rise.
Why did the Church Fathers teach through poetry? And what do these hymns and homilies give us to pray with when we’re standing at a grave of our own?

💀Resources:💀
Grab a Copy of The Margins/Little Office Here: https://www.stanthonystongue.com/margins/ 

(Little Office drops ~11/13/26)

Buy My Book, A Catechism of the Strange, here: 
https://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Strange-Stigmata-Relics-Miracles/dp/0829460683 

Join my Patreon here: 
http://www.patreon.com/anthonystongue  

✏️Poems Mentioned:✏️
St. John of Damascus — Funeral Hymn, Tone VIII (“I Weep and I Wail”)
https://www.sermonindex.net/fathers/orthodox-service-book-hapgood-part-2/
St. Ephrem the Syrian — Nisibene Hymn 36
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3702e.htm
Anonymous — The Lord’s Descent into Hell (Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday)
https://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010414_omelia-sabato-santo_en.html

You can be tired and still be in love with God.
In this Mass Prep, we reflect on the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 through bridal mysticism, St. Augustine, and St. John Chrysostom.
What keeps our faith burning when nobody is watching? And how do we keep loving in a world that teaches us to grow cold?
Keep a little fire in the dark. The Bridegroom is coming.

💀Resources:💀
Grab a Copy of The Margins Here: https://www.stanthonystongue.com/margins/ 
Buy My Book, A Catechism of the Strange (audiobook now available! ):
https://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Strange-Stigmata-Relics-Miracles/dp/0829460683 
Join my Patreon here: 
http://www.patreon.com/anthonystongue  

What does it mean to be wounded by God’s love?
The mystics speak of a love that pierces the heart, awakens longing, and leaves us aching for the One we have begun to know. A glimpse of God can make us want more of him—and change how we love everyone else.
In this episode of Mysticism, Word by Word, we explore the “wound of love” through Scripture, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Ávila, and St. Francis de Sales. We consider the difference between being hurt and being wounded by love, how longing can deepen our prayer, and why love must become action.
What happens when the love we receive begins to become the love we give?

The Kingdom of Heaven is full of losers. At least, that's what this Sunday's Gospel seems to suggest.
In Matthew 5:1–12, Jesus delivers the Beatitudes, turning the world's understanding of success completely upside down. He calls the poor, the mourning, the meek, the merciful, and the persecuted blessed.
And perhaps most remarkably, Jesus himself becomes all of these things.
As we celebrate All Saints' Day, we're reminded that holiness isn't about becoming impressive, but becoming more like Christ. And the saints remind us that the promises Jesus made on that mountain are real.
The Kingdom of Heaven is full of losers. But there are no losers in heaven.
Join me for this week's Mass Prep as we reflect on the Gospel for the Solemnity of All Saints.