The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
Moreover, from the time when He said, 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven;' and again, 'He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it; ' no one becomes a member of Christ except it be either by baptism in Christ, or death for Christ.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Baptism and sacrifice are essential for true membership in Christ.
Saint Augustine emphasizes that true entry into the kingdom of heaven requires a profound transformation symbolized by baptism or a willingness to sacrifice one's life for Christ. The essence of belonging to Christ lies not just in outward rituals but in a deep commitment and love for Him, which may demand the ultimate sacrifice.
Themes
BaptismSacrificeChristHeavenMembership
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about faith and commitment, one might say, 'As Saint Augustine teaches us, true devotion to Christ may require sacrifices that we must be willing to make.'
More from Saint Augustine
All quotes →There 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.
Saint AugustineRead
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.
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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.
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Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
Saint AugustineRead
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.
Saint AugustineRead
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