Augustine 400 AD contemplating the God who “inhabiteth eternity”. “But if there was no time before heaven and earth, how, then, can it be asked, “What wast thou doing then?” For there was no “then” when there was no time.  Nor dost thou precede any given period of time by another period of time. Else thou wouldst not precede all periods of time. In the eminence of thy everpresent eternity, thou precedest all times past, and extendest beyond all futuretimes, for they are still to come–and when they have come, they will be past. But “Thou art always the Selfsame … Continue reading Past finding out

Gregory of Nazianus 381 AD He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life. Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water. Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King. Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons. Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears. Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world. Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd. Jesus died, yet … Continue reading He is the Bread of Life

Augustine 400ish AD Great is this power of memory, exceedingly great, O my God–a large and boundless inner hall! Who has plumbed the depths of it? Yet it is a power of mymind, and it belongs to my nature. But I do not myself grasp all that I am. Thus themind is far too narrow to contain itself. But where can that part of it be which itdoes not contain? Is it outside and not in itself? How can it be, then, that the mindcannot grasp itself? A great marvel rises in me; astonishment seizes me. Men goforth to marvel … Continue reading Great is the power of memory

Augustine 400ish AD “And what is this God? I asked the earth, and it answered, “I am not he”; and everything in the earth made the same confession. I asked the sea and the deeps and the creeping things, and they replied, “We are not your God; seek above us.” I asked the fleeting winds, and the whole air with its inhabitants answered, “Anaximenes was deceived; I am not God.” I asked the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars; and they answered, “Neither are we the God whom you seek.” And I replied to all these things which stand around … Continue reading I am not he

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, When as yet there was none of them.” – Psalm 139:16 Thou art the Omnipotent, who art with me, even before I am with thee. – Augustine 400 ADish Continue reading Even before I am with you

Augustine 400ish AD “But it has been declared by thy Son, the Truth, that“whosoever shall say to his brother, You fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire.” And there would be doom even for the life of a praiseworthy man if thou judgedst it withthy mercy set aside. But since thou dost not so stringently inquire after our sins, wehope with confidence to find some place in thy presence. But whoever recounts hisactual and true merits to thee, what is he doing but recounting to thee thy owngifts? Oh, if only men would know themselves as men, then “he that … Continue reading If it weren’t for mercy

Augustine 400 AD “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5 Continue reading We are not that Light

Augustine 400 AD “[1] O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. [5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me. [6]  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or … Continue reading The Omnipotent

Augustine 400 AD “Cast yourself on him; fear not. He will not flinch and you will not fall. Cast yourself on him without fear, for he will receive and heal you.” Continue reading Why stand in your own strength…

Augustine 400 AD “And it was now a joy to put away what I formerly feared to lose.For thou didst cast them away from me, O true and highest Sweetness. Thou didstcast them away, and in their place thou didst enter in thyself–sweeter than allpleasure, though not to flesh and blood; brighter than all light, but more veiled thanall mystery; more exalted than all honor, though not to them that are exalted intheir own eyes. Now was my soul free from the gnawing cares of seeking andgetting, of wallowing in the mire and scratching the itch of lust. And I … Continue reading Without the sweetness of trifles