Night light for wayfarers
which distinguishes night from night
the dawn bird now sings aloud
calling up the light of the sun.
Sailors gain strength as he appears,
and sea’s waves are calm;
Jesus, look upon those who waver;
and looking, help us to be firm;
Under Your care shame fades away
and You wipe out the stain of sin.
O light, shine now within our souls
and torpor fly from every mind;
And at the dawn our voices rise
in sons of prayer and praise to You.
- St. Ambrose of Milan
Showing posts with label Ambrose of Milan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ambrose of Milan. Show all posts
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
From St. Ambrose (The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series Two Vol. X; Eerdmans pg. 57):
An untaught humility has no claim to praise, but only that which possesses modesty and a knowledge of self. For there is a humility that rests on fear, one too, that rests on want of skill and ignorance. Therefore Scripture says: 'He will save the humble in spirit' (Ps. 34:18). Gloriously, therefore, does he say: 'I know how to be abased;' that is to say, where, in what moderation, to what end, in what duty, in which office. The Pharisee knew not how to be abased, therefore he was cast down. The publican knew, and therefore he was justified (Lk. 18:11).
'I know,' St. Paul says, 'how to be abased' (Phil. 4:12).
An untaught humility has no claim to praise, but only that which possesses modesty and a knowledge of self. For there is a humility that rests on fear, one too, that rests on want of skill and ignorance. Therefore Scripture says: 'He will save the humble in spirit' (Ps. 34:18). Gloriously, therefore, does he say: 'I know how to be abased;' that is to say, where, in what moderation, to what end, in what duty, in which office. The Pharisee knew not how to be abased, therefore he was cast down. The publican knew, and therefore he was justified (Lk. 18:11).
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