The old confusion of tongues was praiseworthy when people who had a common language—even as some now venture to have—were building their tower in wickedness and impiety. By confusing their language, their unity of purpose was destroyed, as was the project they were undertaking. Thus the present miracle is all that much more praiseworthy. TheContinue reading “St. Gregory Nazianzen on Pentecost”
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St. Basil on the Authority of Scripture
Let the divinely inspired Scripture decide between us. On whichever side are found doctrines in harmony with the word of God—that is the side for which the vote of truth will be cast in favor. St. Basil of Caesarea, Letter 189.3
A Poem of the Venerable Bede
Christus est stella matutina, AlleluiaQui nocte saeculi transacta, AlleluiaLucem vitae sanctis promittit, Alleluia;Et pandit aeternam, Alleluia Christ is the morning star, Alleluia.who when the night of this world is past, Alleluiabrings to his saints the promise of the light of life, Alleluia;and opens everlasting day. Alleluia The Venerable Bede, Exposition of the Apocalypse
A Blazing Hearth and a Cool Fountain
How can you be both a blazing hearth and a cool fountain,A burning, yet a sweetness that cleanses us?How can you make humankind a god, darkness lightAnd draw new life from the pit of death?How does night become day? Can you overcome gloom?Take the flame to our hearts and change the depths of our being?HowContinue reading “A Blazing Hearth and a Cool Fountain”
Nothing is impossible to the Almighty
Nothing is impossible to the Almighty, nor is anything incapable of being restored by its creator. Origen, On First Principles, III.6.v
Service to God adds nothing to Him
Service to God adds nothing to Him, and He has no need of human obedience. On the contrary, He grants life, incorruptibility and eternal glory to those who follow and serve Him. He bestows benefits on those who serve Him just because they serve Him and on His followers just because they follow Him, butContinue reading “Service to God adds nothing to Him”
Only what human nature is able to receive
When we speak of God, we do not say all that we might (for that is known to Him only) but only what human nature is able to receive and our weakness can bear. We do not explain what God is but candidly confess that our knowledge of Him is not exact. Where God isContinue reading “Only what human nature is able to receive”
Trinitie Sunday
Lord, who hast form’d me out of mud,And hast redeem’d me through thy bloudAnd sanctifi’d me to do good; Purge all my sinnes done heretofore:For I confesse my heavie score,And I will strive to sinne no more. Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,With faith, with hope, with charitie;That I may runne, rise, rest withContinue reading “Trinitie Sunday”
St. Ignatius of Antioch on the Eucharist
I have no taste for the food that perishes nor for the pleasures of this life. I want the Bread of God which is the Flesh of Christ, who was the seed of David; and for drink I desire His Blood which is love that cannot be destroyed. St. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to theContinue reading “St. Ignatius of Antioch on the Eucharist”
What is more precious than gold and precious stones
Tell me, if anyone gave you gold dust, would you not with all precaution keep it fast, being on your guard against losing any of it, and suffering loss? How much more cautiously then will you observe that not a crumb falls from you of what is more precious than gold and precious stones. St.Continue reading “What is more precious than gold and precious stones”
Locus Communis 