A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

He who has been granted the grace of spiritual knowledge and yet harbors resentment, rancour or hatred for anybody, is like someone who lacerates his eyes with thorns and thistles. Hence knowledge must be accompanied by love.

The more one reads and studies the Bible, the more he finds reasons to study it as often and as frequently as he can. According to St. John Chrysostom, it is like an aromatic root, which produces more and more aroma the more it is rubbed.

Arrogance cannot bear to see itself scorned and humility held in honor.

Ignorance of the scriptures is a precipice and a deep abyss.

Where a fall has overtaken us, there pride has already pitched its tent; because a fall is an indication of pride.

Do not measure yourself by the standard of weaker men, but strive rather to apply yourself to the commandment of love. In measuring yourself by the former you fall into the pit of presumption, in striving for the latter you advance to the heights of humility.

If you find that you have no love but desire to have it, do the works of love and the Lord will see your desire and effort and put love in your heart.

In words of boastfulness and self-justification there always lie concealed contrariness and pride, from which God turns away. After sinning one ought immediately to 'flee.' But you say, where? To the calm haven of heartfelt repentance.

Love is joy; the price of love is sacrifice. Love is life; the price of love is death.

Pride is the forerunner of every fall.

The Holy Fathers say, 'Pride goeth before a fall, and humility before grace.' Whereas faintheartedness is the mother of impatience.

As memory of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not produce the light of knowledge in the soul.

Love and humility form a holy pair; what the first builds, the second binds, thus preventing the building from falling asunder.

Love does not reflect. Love is simple. Love never mistakes. Likewise believe and trust without refection, for faith and trust are also simple; or better: God, in Whom we believe and in Whom we trust, is an incomplex Being, as He is also simply love.

As work according to God is called virtue, so unexpected affliction is called a test.

Keep a strict watch against any appearance of pride: it appears imperceptibly, particularly in time of vexation and irritability against others for quite unimportant causes.

Love, by its nature, is a resemblance to God, insofar as this is humanly possible. In its activity it is inebriation of the soul. Its distinctive character is to be a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

A humble and spiritually active man, when he reads the Holy Scripture, will refer everything to himself and not to another.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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