Category Archives: medieval

A Virgin Shall Conceive

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“Perhaps at the time the angel came, she was holding [the text of] Isaiah in her hands; perhaps she was then studying the prophecy which declares: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Aelred of Rievaulx, Mary, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

The Origin of Indulgences

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

A close reading of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses demonstrates that he was calling into question not only the doctrine of indulgences but also the late medieval sacrament of penance. Luther focused on the interior nature of repentance instead of sacramental penance … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, Martin Luther, medieval, Peter Abelard, Reformation | 2 Comments

Love and Rewards

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“God is not loved without a reward, although he should be loved without regard for one.  True charity cannot be worthless, still, as ‘it does not seek its own advantage,’ it cannot be termed mercenary.  Love pertains to the will, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Cistercian, Love, medieval | Leave a comment

On the Violence of Love

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“ ‘I have been wounded by love.’ [Song of Songs 2:5 Old Latin] Love urges me to speak about love, and I willingly devote myself to its service.  Indeed, it is sweet and altogether enjoyable to speak about love (dilectione)—a … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, medieval, Richard of St Victor | Leave a comment

Happy Virginity

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“O happy virginity, which humility adorns; o happy humility, which virginity honors.  Humility adorns virginity, so that it might not have pride.  Virginity honors humility, so that it may not be despised.  Therefore, virginity is humble, so that it may … Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard of Clairvaux, Innocent III, Mary, medieval | Leave a comment

Who Can Keep Silent?

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“Who can contemplate Eternity being born, Power itself failing, Bread going hungry, the Spring itself growing thirsty, without becoming speechless?  But who can contemplate the beginning of our salvation, the day of human healing, without bursting forth in a voice … Continue reading →

Posted in Aelred of Rievaulx, Christ, Christmas, Incarnation, medieval | 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 Art of Love

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“The art of arts is the art of love.  Nature, and God, the Author of nature, has reserved to himself the teaching of it.  Love itself has been planted [in us] by the Creator of nature; so if its natural … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, medieval, theology, virtue | Leave a comment

The Suffering of the Blessed Virgin

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Therefore, this holy Virgin was a true martyr during these three days, and they were much harder for her than the external pain and torture was for any other saint.  She was in anxiety because of her Son that she … Continue reading →

Posted in depression, Martin Luther, martyrdom, Mary, medieval, preaching | Leave a comment