Ancient Wisdom

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430).

Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and meditate on them day and night.
We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need,
that we may in turn put its precepts into practice.
Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless,
unless rooted in your graceful love.
So we ask that the words of Scriptures
may also be not just signs on page,
but channels of grace into our hearts.
Origen of Alexandria (c.186-254)