“’And [Naaman] dipped himself…seven times in the Jordan.’ It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water...
“Let the cross, as our seal, be boldly made with our fingers upon our brow, and on all occasions: over the bread we eat, over the cups we drink, in our comings and in our goings, before sleep…it is a grace from God, a badge of the faithful, and a...
“We don’t walk to God with the feet of our body, nor would wings, if we had them, carry us to Him; but we go to Him by the affections of our soul.” St. Augustine (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “Lord, since eternity is Yours, are You unaware of...
“Once, in Cana of Galilee, He turned water into wine, resembling blood. Is it incredible, then, that He should have turned wine into blood? When called to a bodily marriage, He miraculously worked that wonder. Shall He not rather be acknowledged to have given the fruit of His body and...
“Let [the Christian] examine his charity, to be able to say: I am born of God. If he lacks it, he is a deserter running away, even if he bears the seal of a Christian.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “Love, by its nature, is...
“So it falls out that in this world, in evil days like these, the Church walks onward like a wayfarer stricken by the world’s hostility, but comforted by the mercy of God. Nor does this state of affairs date only from the days of Christ’s and His Apostles’ presence on...
“Quiet is the first step in our sanctification, the tongue purified from the gossip of the world; the eyes unexcited by fair color or comely shape; the ear not relaxing the tone of the mind by voluptuous songs, nor by that special mischief, the talk of comedians and clowns.” St....
“Sometimes all the powers of our souls are concentrated and withdrawn as a result of the deep reverence, the undisturbing fear, that takes hold of us as we reflect on the majesty of the King in Whose presence we are, Who is looking at us; just as we should pull...
“Let me know You, O You Who know me. Let me know You just as I am known to You. Virtue of my soul, come into it and make it over for Your own use, that You may possess it without spot or wrinkle. This is my hope.” St. Augustine...
“When we stand praying, beloved brethren, we ought to be watchful and earnest with our whole heart, intent on our prayers. Let all carnal and worldly thoughts pass away, nor let the soul at that time think on anything but the object only of its prayer. For this reason also...