Progress in Reading

Quantum legentes progredimur, tantum nobis sacramentorum cumulus augetur. Et ut si quis exiguo vectus navigio ingrediatur mare, donec terrae vicinus est, minus metuit: cum vero paulatim in altum fuerit progressus, et undis intumescentibus, vel in excelsum attolli coeperit, vel eisdem dehiscentibus in ima deduco; ibi vero mentem pavor ingens et formido percutit, quod exiguam ratem tam immensis fluctibus credidit: ita etiam nos pati videmur, qui exigui meritis et ingenio tenues, inire tam vastum mysteriorum pelagus audemus. Sed si, orentibus vobis, Dominus dignetur Spirtus sui Sancti auram nobis prosperam dare, secundo verbi cursu portum salutis intrabimus. Origenes, In Genesim, Homilia IX,  Interprete Rufino Aquileiense

The more we progress in reading, the greater grows the collection of sacred mysteries for us. And it is as if someone should enter upon the sea in a little boat, who as long as he is near land is untroubled, but, when he has advanced little by little into the deep and has begun either to be lifted up to the heights by swelling waves, or by the same waves' gaping led down to the depths, there indeed grave terror and dread strikes his mind because he has entrusted so small a craft to such immense waves, and so thus we seem to suffer, who, with small merits and slight ability, dare to enter so vast a sea of mysteries, But if, by your prayers, the Lord should see fit to give us a favorable breeze of his Holy Spirit, with a favorable course we shall enter the port of salvation of the Word. Origen, On Genesis, Homily 9, Translated by Rufinus of Aquileia.