Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Godly wisdom from St Ambrose


WE SPEAK OF CHRIST
When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ.
When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ.
When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ.
When we speak about peace, we are speaking of Christ.
When we speak about truth and life and redemption,
we are speaking of Christ.

(From Explanation of the Psalms 36:65-66)


WE DEPEND ONLY ON CHRIST
I will glory not because I am righteous
but because I am redeemed;
I will glory not because I am free from sins
but because my sins are forgiven me.
I will not glory because I have done good
nor because someone has done good to me
but because Christ is my advocate with the Father
and because the blood of Christ has been shed for me.
(From Liber de Jacob et Vita Beata, ch. 6; quoted by Martin Chemnitz in Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I p. 507)


FAITH IS MORE THAN "INTELLECTUAL ASSENT"
The woman [with the issue of blood - Luke 8:43-48] was immediately healed, because she drew to him in faith. And do you with faith touch but the hem of his garment. The torrential flow of worldly passions will be dried up by the warmth of the saving word, if you but draw near to him with faith, if with like devotion you grasp at least the hem of his garment. O faith richer than all treasures! A faith stronger than all the powers of the body, more health-giving than all the physicians!
(From De Virginitate 100, quoted in F. Holmes Dudden, The Life and Times of St. Ambrose (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1935), Vol. II, p. 628)


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