From a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop
Blessed are the merciful, because they shall obtain mercy, says the Scripture. Mercy is not the least of the beatitudes. Again: Blessed is he who is considerate to the needy and…
From the Moral Reflections on Job by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
Christ suffered without sin on his hands, for he committed no sin and deceit was not found on his lips. Yet he suffered the pain of the cross for our…
From a sermon by Saint Bernadine of Siena, priest
There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty…
From the book addressed to Autolycus by Saint Theophilus of Antioch, bishop
If you say, “Show me your God,” I will say to you, “Show me what kind of person you are, and I will show you my God.” Show me then…
From a sermon by Saint Peter Chrysologus, bishop
There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains,…
From a homily by Saint Basil the Great, bishop
The wise man must not boast of his wisdom, nor the strong man of his strength, nor the rich man of his riches. What then is the right kind of…
From a treatise on John by Saint Augustine, bishop
A woman came. She is a symbol of the Church not yet made righteous but about to be made righteous. Righteousness follows from the conversation. She came in ignorance, she found…
From the treatise on Flight from the World by Saint Ambrose, bishop
Where a man’s heart is, there is his treasure also. God is not accustomed to refusing a good gift to those who ask for one. Since he is good, and especially…
From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
In the book of Deuteronomy Moses says to the people: The Lord your God made a covenant on Horeb; he made this covenant, not with your fathers but with you. Why did…