Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
The apostle considers trials and sorrow for God's sake praiseworthy and worthy of joy, because they are the strongest bonds and the nurturing of love and contrition, which is why it is said: "My son! if you draw near to serve the Lord God, prepare your soul for temptation" (Sir. 2:1), and Christ said: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good courage" (John 16:33), for without struggles one cannot receive crowns either in the world or from God. He calls them not children, but brethren — out of humility. …
Desert Fathers
[Syncletica] also said, 'When the devil does not use the goad of poverty to tempt us, he uses wealth for the same purpose. When he cannot win by scorn and mockery, he tries praise and flattery. If he cannot win by giving health, he tries illness. If he cannot win by comfort, he tries to ruin the soul by vexations that lead us to act against our monastic vows. He inflicts severe sicknesses on people whom he wants to tempt and so makes them weak, and thereby shakes the love they feel towards God. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
And think not that, because we are bishops, it is impossible for unjust passionate resentment to gain secretly upon us; let us rather remember that, because we are men, your life in the midst of temptation's snares is beset with the greatest possible dangers.
Bede
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. The word begins with the more perfect, so that it may reach those in order whom he saw being corrected and raised to the height of perfection. And it is to be noted that he does not simply say, "Rejoice" or "Consider it joy," but "Consider it all joy," when you encounter various trials; deem yourselves worthy of all joy if it happens that you endure trials for the sake of faith in Christ. …
Bonaventure
Hence, if charity is patient, long-suffering and good, then it "shall suck as milk the abundance of the sea." In this way did Lawrence rejoice over the glowing embers as if they had been flowers. These fruits are in the spirit, not in the flesh. Hence in James: "Esteem it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various trials."
Translation