Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

The Humanity of Christ

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“Therefore, nevertheless, those weak with devotion look at the humanity of Christ, in which they recognize the cause of their own salvation: They stand near the cross of Christ, and with Thomas put their own hand into the place of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Christ, Cross, Incarnation, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

The Tempter Appeared

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“One day when he was alone, the tempter appeared.  A little black bird…set about fluttering around him, approaching his face in an annoying manner, so close that the holy man could have caught it in his hand if he had … Continue reading →

Posted in conversion, martyrdom, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

The Ancient Curse Is Removed

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“On today’s feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, my brothers, we must reflect on the simple story of our restoration as a very pleasant plateau. The angel Gabriel is entrusted with a novel task, and the Virgin manifests a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Christ, Incarnation, Mary, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

Mercy

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“O man, if you consider carefully the mercy of God, you can possess in yourself the image of mercy.  What made Christ become incarnate, except mercy? What subjected him to our wretchedness, except his clemency? This is man’s only way … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, gospel, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

No Word Sounds Sweeter

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“Your word pierced me like the sharp arrow of the Mighty. As a result, I began to compare your statements with the passages of Scripture which speak of poenitentia [repentance]. And behold — what a most pleasant scene! Biblical words … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation, theology | Leave a comment

Some Criminals Receive Correction

Posted on January 7, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“However, when it was already late at night there came to Sulla’s camp messengers from Crassus to fetch food for Crassus himself and for his soldiers. For they had defeated the enemy, pursued them to Antennae, and were now in … Continue reading →

Posted in Plutarch, Rome | Leave a comment

Unto Us A Child Is Born

Posted on December 25, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Show us, Lord, your mercy, cloaked in our misery and working the cure of the miserable by a new kind mercy drawn from our very misery. For this, the art of mercy, has blended God’s beatitude and man’s misery in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christmas, Cistercian, theology | Leave a comment

The Test

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“In private life, if you wish to pass judgement on the characters of good or of bad men, you would not, assuming that your opinion is to be subjected to a genuine test, examine their actions only at periods of … Continue reading →

Posted in Polybius, Rome | Leave a comment

Gluttony Over Glosses

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“For clerks of our own day follow more readily the schools of Antichrist than Christ, are rather given to gluttony than glosses; they collect pounds rather than read books…now all learning goes cheap, all reading is half-hearted; there is no-one … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, education, liberal arts, medieval, teaching, theology | Leave a comment

Legislation Abounded

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Hence arose demagogues like the Gracchi and Lucius Appuleius Saturnis – and the senate’s partisans such as Marcus Livius Drusus with their equally comprehensive offers.  By these, Italian hopes were raised, only to be dashed by the tribunes’ vetoes.  Even … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Rome, Tacitus | Leave a comment