Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Philosophy as Obedience to the Divine

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength, I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy, exhorting any one whom I meet … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy, Plato, Socrates, teaching | Leave a comment

Fighting for the Luxury and Wealth of Others

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

 “‘Those savage beasts,’ said he, ‘in Italy, have their particular dens, they have their places of repose and refuge; but the men who bear arms, and expose their lives for the safety of their country, enjoy in the meantime nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Rome, war | Leave a comment

The Foolishness of the Cross

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18 Based on St Paul’s text, Geoffrey Babion, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, medieval | Leave a comment

The Price of Satisfaction: Bernard of Clairvaux’s View of Redemption

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“You lived, O man, in darkness and the shadow of death through ignorance of the truth; you were a prisoner and your sins were your shackles.  He [Jesus] came down to you in your prison, not to torture you but … Continue reading →

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

The Spiritual Castle

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“The blessed Virgin Mary herself, whose glorious assumption we are celebrating today, was beyond doubt blest because she welcomed the Son of God in body but she was more blest because she had welcomed him in spirit…let us make ready … Continue reading →

Posted in Aelred of Rievaulx, Mary, virtue | Leave a comment

The Languor of Love

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“Love is an affliction, and the suffering of a soul that is sick.  The authority of the poet [Ovid]–even though it seems unworthy and unsuitable–affirms the truth of this, when he says, ‘Woe is me, for no herb can cure … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, preaching, theology, vice, virtue | Leave a comment

The Ladder to Heaven

Posted on June 16, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“Truly, the cross of Christ is a ladder reaching into heaven from earth, because through the faith of the cross, through imitation of the Passion, man returns from exile to the homeland, from death to life, from earth to heaven, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, Christ, Cross | Leave a comment

The Shame of Peter Abelard

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“You know the depths of shame to which my unbridled lust had consigned our bodies, until no reverence for decency or for God even during the days of Our Lord’s Passion, or of the greater sacraments could keep me from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross, Heloise, Love, memory, Peter Abelard | Leave a comment

The Affection of Heloise

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“In my case, the pleasures of lovers which we shared have been too sweet–they cannot displease me, and can scarcely shift from my memory.  Wherever I turn they are always there before my eyes, bringing with them awakened longings and … Continue reading →

Posted in Heloise, Love, Peter Abelard, vice, virtue | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Honorable Cross

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“Every action of Christ and all His working of miracles were truly great and divine and wonderful, but of all things the most wonderful is His honorable cross.  For by nothing else except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, John of Damascus | Leave a comment