The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
Saint AugustineRead
Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a commitment to using one's abilities for a greater purpose or service to others.
Saint Augustine's quote emphasizes the humility and dedication of an individual who acknowledges their skills and gifts as blessings that should be utilized for the benefit of others rather than for personal gain. It reflects a deep sense of responsibility and service, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from contributing to the greater good.
In practice
In a speech about community service, I would use this quote to highlight the importance of giving back.
The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.
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.
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.
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.
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; shield your joyous ones; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.
We have a tendency to condemn people who are different from us, to define their sins as paramount and our own sinfulness as being insignificant.
Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?
Condemning all women in order to help some misguided men get over their foolish behaviour is tantamount to denouncing fire, which is a vital and beneficial element, just because some people are burnt by it, or to cursing water just because some people are drowned in it.
The abjection of our political situation is the only true challenge today. Only facing up to this situation in all its desperation can help us get out of it.
This very heart which is mine will forever remain indefinable to me. Between the certainty I have of my existence and the content I try to give to that assurance, the gap will never be filled. Forever I shall be a stranger to myself.
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