It was a rule with Wulfstan to do with his might what his hands found to do, and he discharged with honor to the monastery the duties which now devolved upon him. The first office which he filled was that of scholasticus, or keeper of the schools.
The first and fundamental creed, which must ever constitute the beating heart of every other, is Peter’s answer to his Master’s question, “Who say ye that I am?” It is the confession of his personal faith that the man Jesus of Nazareth is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He saw in Him the promised Messiah, the Saviour from sin, and the highest revelation of the infinite Jehovah
Antony was confused as he meditated upon the depths of God’s judgements, and he asked God, “Lord, how is it that some die young and others grow old and sick? Why are there some poor and some rich?
The first disciples of our Lord had, some of them, been disciples of John the Baptist, and the function of that wonderful prophet was to proclaim that now the time was come, and God’s purpose was about to be consummated—the kingdom was at hand,
Jesus frequently illustrated the characteristics of the hardhearted. The rich fool was condemned, not because he was toughminded, but rather because he was not tenderhearted. Life for him was a mirror in which he saw only himself,
The more we pray for others, the more we shall pray for ourselves. Praying for others, instead of hindering us in prayer for ourselves, will lead us to pray the more for ourselves. We may perhaps learn, by praying for others, what is meant by prayer, and what its value is, and how to practice it;
O Wondrous giver of the light!
By whose eternal ray serene,
After the lingering hours of night,
The glory of the morn is seen,
Human beings long for happiness, and human existence has happiness as its natural end—so Aelred of Rievaulx believes. To put this another way, the happiness for which humans long is the fulfillment of their nature as human beings.
O Morning Star! how fair and bright,
thou beamest forth in truth and light!
O Sovereign meek and lowly!
Sweet Root of Jesse, David’s Son
my King and Bridegroom, thou hast won
my heart to love thee solely!
You’l pardon my old Memory, and upon so sad occasions as I am come to this place, to make use of my Papers, I dare not trust my self otherwise. This is a very uncomfortable place to Preach in, and yet I shall begin with a Text of Scripture, in the twelfth of the Hebrews,