When sorrow presses too near, both body and soul cry out for healing. Today, Aquinas teaches where sorrow comes from—how it rises from memory, the senses, and love itself—and how it is eased by rest, friendship, contemplation, and divine charity (1–2.37.1–4).

In Augustine, we watch creation’s dawn draw to its close, as he beholds humanity made in the image of God—reason governing desire, love ordering all things toward the Creator (13.34–35).

And in the Shepherd of Hermas, we stand among the twelve mountains, watching the Builder test and choose his stones for the great tower of the Church. Some are luminous, some crumble, yet all are tried in the waters of repentance until they are made firm and fitted to the living house of God (Similitude 9.1–5).

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When sorrow presses too near, both body and soul cry out for healing.

Today’s readings trace how suffering, creation, and restoration weave together through the Fathers. In Summa Theologica (1–2.37.1), I consider how sorrow clouds the intellect—drawing the soul inward until it cannot freely learn. Yet when grief is rightly ordered by charity, it may humble rather than darken, cleansing the mind for truth.

In The Confessions, Book 13, Chapter 33 (48), I rejoice that all creation, though made from nothing, praises God through its very limits. The heavens and earth—rising and fading, forming and dissolving—proclaim His beauty as beginning and end.

And in The Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9, Chapters 6–10, I watch the tower of the Church examined and rebuilt. Stones once dark are cut, cleansed, and restored; others wait beside the wall until the Master calls them home. In the end, the tower gleams like one living stone—firm, whole, and shining in repentance.

Readings:

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 37, Article 1

Augustine, The Confessions, Book 13, Chapter 33 (48)

Hermas, The Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude 9, Chapters 6–10

Explore the Project:

Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com

Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com

Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org

#SummaTheologica #Confessions #ShepherdOfHermas #ChurchFathers #Sorrow #Creation #Repentance #Faith

When sorrow presses too near, both body and soul cry out for healing. Today, we listen to Aquinas explain where sorrow comes from—how it can rise from the body, the senses, memory, and love—and how it is eased by rest, friendship, contemplation, and divine charity (1–2.36.1–4).

In Augustine, we watch creation unfold and find man made in the image of God—reason ruling desire, love directing action (13.32).

And in Hermas, we stand among the twelve mountains, watching the Church’s great tower being built upon the rock. Some stones shine, others crumble, yet the Builder keeps working until every soul is tested and made firm in repentance (Similitude 9.1–5).

Explore the Project:

Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com

Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton

Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com

Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org

#Hermas #Confessions #SummaTheologica #ChurchFathers #Repentance #Sorrow #Creation