It is not enough for us, then, to be content with his first coming; we must wait in hope of his second coming… He first came in the order of divine providence to teach men by gentle persuasion, but when he comes again they will, whether they wish it or not, be subjected to his kingship.
–Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313-386)
For from ignorance of the Scriptures have the countless evils of our time arisen; from this ignorance the plague of heresies has broken out among us so violently; from this ignorance so many live negligent lives. Just as men deprived of daylight would not walk straight, so those who do not look to the shining of the Holy Scriptures must needs be frequently sinning as they are walking in the worst of darkness.
–Saint John Chrysostom (347-407)
Holy Scripture is the table of Christ, from whence we are nourished, from whence we learn what we should love and what we should desire, to whom we should have our eyes raised.
–Saint Alcuin (c. 735-804)
For it is good to cleave to God, and to put our hopes in the Lord, so that, when we have exchanged this poor life for the kingdom of heaven, we may cry aloud: ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? There is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.’ Assuredly, when we have found such wealth in heaven, we may well grieve to have sought after poor passing pleasures here on earth.
–Saint Jerome (c. 340-420)
Continue to love Jesus and make an effort to love Him more and more, without desiring to know anything else.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
