Light And Understanding

Singula scripturae verba si libris singulis mandarentur, nec sic mysteria quae in ipsis sunt audientibus perlucent, et quid faciet subitus et brevis sermo, qui in modum fulguris, prius quam illustret oculos, jam refugit, nec dat lucem videntibus, sed pavorem? Orate ergo, uti quia in saeculi obscuritate versamur, et in carne positi noctis tempus agimus, non diei, lucernam nobis verbi sui Christus accendat, qua praevia mysterii coelestis ingrediamur obscura, et gradu lento perveniamus ad scientiae divinae quantam possumus charitatem: sicut illi magi, qui mentis suae oculos metientes, non audent splendori solis, aut divinae se committere claritati, sed nocte tenerum stellae lumen tenerioribus oculis assumentes, ad cubile Christi tenerrimum pervenerunt. Sanctus Petrus Chrysologus, Sermo LXIV Source: Migne PL 52.379a-b

If a book were appointed to each of the words of Scripture, their mysteries would not yet be entirely clear to those who heard them. What then will a hasty and brief sermon achieve, which in the way of its illumination, before it enlightens the eyes, fades, and gives not light to those who see but dread? Let us pray, therefore, since we exist in the world's darkness and are placed in the flesh and the time we expend is of the night and not of the day, that Christ might kindle the light of His word in us, and that with it leading us we enter into the darkness of the heavenly mystery, and with slow step arrive at the love of Divine knowledge, as far as we can, as those Magi, who, taking the measure of the eyes of their minds, did not dare commit themselves to the sun's splendour or the brightness of Divinity, but at night, relying on the delicate light of the star with yet more delicate eyes, arrived at Christ's crib, most delicate of all. Saint Peter Chrysologus, from Sermon 64