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He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms that it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, whether it be far off or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True love for the coming of the Lord is shown through sincere faith and hope, regardless of when it may occur.

In this quote, Saint Augustine emphasizes that genuine devotion to the anticipation of the Lord's arrival is not about debating whether it is near or far. Instead, it is characterized by a faithful heart, a hopeful spirit, and a deep love, regardless of the timing of that arrival. This reflects the essence of spirituality and faith, which is about unwavering belief and love rather than speculation.

Themes

FaithHopeLoveAnticipationSpirituality

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon about living with faith, a pastor might share this quote to encourage the congregation to remain hopeful.

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