God’s Providence controls the universe. It is present everywhere. Providence is the sovereign Logos of God, imprinting form on the unformed materiality of the world, making and fashioning all things. Matter could not have acquired an articulated structure were it not for the directing power of the Logos Who is the Image, Intellect, Wisdom, and Providence of God.
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
Regard as free not those whose status makes them outwardly free, but those who are free in their character and conduct. For we should not call men truly free when they are wicked and dissolute, since they are slaves to worldly passions. Freedom and happiness of soul consist in genuine purity and detachment from transitory things.
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, “Humility”.
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
The person who abides in solitude and quiet is delivered from fighting three battles: hearing, speech, and sight. Then there remains one battle to fight-the battle of the heart.
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
The fruits of the earth are not brought to perfection immediately, but by time, rain and care; similarly, the fruits of men ripen through ascetic practice, study, time, perseverance, self-control and patience.
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, “You are mad; you are not like us.”
Anthony the Great (Christian Monk, 251 – 356)
If I were worthy of such a favor from my God, I would ask that He would grant me this one miracle: That by His grace He would make of me a good man.
Ansgar (Archbishop, 801 – 865)
God does not delay to hear our prayers because He has no mind to give; but that, by enlarging our desires, He may give us the more largely.
Anselm (Theologian, 1033 – 1109)
Remove grace, and you have nothing whereby to be saved. Remove free will and you have nothing that could be saved.
Anselm (Theologian, 1033 – 1109)
I do not try, Lord, to attain Your lofty heights, because my understanding is in no way equal to it. But I do desire to understand Your truth a little, that truth that my heart believes and loves. I do not seek to understand that I may believe; but I believe so that I may understand. For I believe this also, that unless I believe, I shall not understand.
Anselm (Theologian, 1033 – 1109)