The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Faith involves believing in things that are not immediately apparent, and this belief ultimately leads to understanding or realization.
This quote by Saint Augustine emphasizes the concept of faith as a powerful force that transcends mere perception. It suggests that true belief often requires acceptance of the unseen, and through this act of faith, one may eventually come to genuinely see and understand the truths or realities they have faith in. It speaks to the transformational journey of believing in something greater than oneself, which can lead to profound insights and personal growth.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about perseverance during tough times, one might use this quote to inspire hope.
More from Saint Augustine
All quotes βThere is no health in those who are displeased by an element in Your creation, just as there was none in me when I was displeased by many things You had made. Because my soul didn't dare to say that my God displeased me, it refused to attribute to You whatever was displeasing.
Bad times, hard times, this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: Such as we are, such are the times.
Who can map out the various forces at play in one soul? Man is a great depth, O Lord. The hairs of his head are easier by far to count than his feeling, the movements of his heart.
Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
Everyone who observes himself doubting observes a truth, and about that which he observes he is certain; therefore he is certain about a truth. Everyone therefore who doubts whether truth exists has in himself a truth on which not to doubt.... Hence one who can doubt at all ought not to doubt the existence of truth.
Similar quotes
I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth. If two or three persons should come with a high spiritual aim and with great powers, the world would fall into their hands like a ripe peach.
The supreme mystery of despotism, its prop and stay, is to keep men in a state of deception, and with the specious title of religion to cloak the fear by which they must be held in check, so that they will fight for their servitude as if for salvation.
Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on; its delight is murder, and its end is despair.
And every stone and every star a tongue, And every gale of wind a curious song. The Heavens were an oracle, and spoke Divinity: the Earth did undertake The office of a priest; and I being dumb (Nothing besides was dumb) all things did come With voices and instructions.
Americans are future-minded to the point of obsession. We are impatient at living in the present. Tomorrow is bound to be better... next year, next century, always what might be rather than what is. This trait in us makes for 'progress;' it also makes for a continuing dissatisfaction.
The person who does not believe in miracles surely makes it certain that he or she will never take part in one.