Bede

In his own words on Psalms

• Psalms 4:6

  But because a human being lost this radiance of the divine countenance by sinning, it pleased God to assume the condition of a human countenance by being born in the flesh, in order that he might thereby teach us that we ought to be reborn in the Spirit. It pleased him to appear without sin in the likeness of sinful flesh so that he might cleanse us thoroughly from every sin and form again in us the distinctness of his image.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:6

• Psalms 5:3

  When the night of this world is over, the morning of the world to come will begin to shine.… Then we shall no longer have any need of light from books, for the true Light of the world will appear and enlighten us.

  On the Tabernacle 3:27.21

• Psalms 8:6

  What the psalmist said of the Father concerning our Lord as he rose from the dead, "You have put all things under his feet," is surely the same as what our Lord himself said to his disciples as he rose, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Indeed, even before he rose from the dead, the angelic virtues in heaven knew that they were rightfully subject to the human nature they saw had been specifically assumed by their Maker. Blind human beings on earth, however, disdained to be brought into subjection to one they knew had put on mortality in common with themselves; they declined to understand the divine power in his miracles, since they discerned that there was human weakness present in his sufferings.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:8

• Psalms 9:14

  We need to direct our whole intention, dearly beloved brothers, to learning the mysteries of the faith, and we need to show that our works accord with our faith. With all vigilance we need to beware of the multifarious and subtle snares of the gates of hell, so that, in accordance with the word of the psalmist, we may be worthy to be snatched from these [snares] by the Lord's aid and to announce his praises at the gates of the daughter of Zion, that is, to enter into the joys of the heavenly city. And we should not think that it is sufficient for our salvation if either in our faith or our acts we [merely] come up to the level of the undiscerning and untaught crowd, for whom there is prescribed in the sacred literature only one rule of believing and of living. But as often as the examples of those who have gone astray are made known to us, let us immediately turn away the eyes of our mind so that they may not see vanity, and instead with attentive heart let us examine what truth itself discerns, following the example of blessed Peter. He rejected the false ideas of those who were in error, and with unhesitating words he delivered his confession of the hidden mystery of the faith he had come to recognize, and he kept [it] with unconquerable care in his heart.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:20

• Psalms 17:15

  In the [present] life we need the light of the sacred Scriptures and the refreshment of the heavenly sacraments, but in the future we shall have no need of such aids. According to the word of the psalmist, whoever appears there will be fully satisfied with justice when the glory of the Lord is made manifest.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:25

• Psalms 22:24

  He does not reject or scorn the prayer of the poor when we entreat him for what he himself loves, but he graciously hears; and he will grant us to see his good things in the land of the living, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God throughout all ages of ages.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:25

• Psalms 22:31

  The saints who are aflame with desire for heavenly things are fittingly called "the heavens," as the psalmist says, "And the heavens will proclaim his justice to a people yet to be born," which is to say, "And the most illustrious teachers will proclaim, with mind, voice and action, his justice to a people, who, coming recently to the faith, desire to be born in him."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:17

• Psalms 24:10

  With the report of his resurrection, already accomplished, going ahead of him, the Lord of hosts and the King of glory himself at length appeared and made clear with what great might he had overcome the death he had temporarily tasted.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:9

• Psalms 27:4

  Let us strive with all our strength of soul to arrive there. Let us make our way there by the inward affection of our heart. Let us long [to arrive] there. Let us beg all together, and let us beg individually, of the Maker of that house, that we may dwell in his house all days of our life.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:4

• Psalms 27:4

  The Lord, born a human being among human beings, did what God, by divine inspiration through [his] angels, prescribed for human beings to do. He himself kept the law that he gave in order to show us, who are human beings pure and simple, that whatever God orders is to be observed in everything. Let us follow the path of his human way of life if we take delight in looking on the glory of his divinity, if we want to dwell in his eternal home in heaven all the days of our lives, if it delights [us] to see the Lord's will and to be shielded by his holy temple. And lest we be forever buffeted by the wind of wickedness, let us remember to frequent the house, the church of the present time, with the requisite offerings of pure petitions.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:19

• Psalms 27:6

  The Lord Christ is the head of all the saints, in himself always remaining equal and indivisible, to be sure, but distributing the grace of his Spirit to each one of those who are elect, according to their capacity for receiving. For this reason, not only to the whole church in general but also to each of its members in particular is it permissible to proclaim with confidence that prophetic [word]: "And now he has lifted up my head above my enemies."

  On the Tabernacle 2:9

• Psalms 28:3

  It is good that the Spirit descended upon the Lord in the form of a dove, so that the faithful may learn that they cannot be filled with his Spirit unless they are simple, unless they possess true peace with their brothers, which is signified by the kiss of doves. Ravens also have kisses, but they tear flesh (which a dove does not do at all), signifying those "who speak peace with their neighbor, but wicked things are in their hearts." A dove, which by nature is innocent of the tearing of the flesh, most suitably fits those innocents who pursue peace and sanctity with everyone.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:15

• Psalms 29:1

  Surely the holy teachers are often understood by the word rams, since they are the leaders of flocks that follow the Lord. Hence the psalmist says in a pleasing manner: "Bring to the Lord, O children of God, bring to the Lord the offspring of rams," which is clearly to say, "Bring to the Lord, O angels of God to whom the responsibility for this task has been delegated, bring to the Lord in heaven the spirits of the faithful who, through imitation of the blessed apostles' life and faith, have proved worthy to become their offspring."

  On the Tabernacle 2:4

• Psalms 34:13

  Let us restrain our tongues from evil, since they have been sanctified by our confession of faith. Let us fear to use that [same tongue] with which we bless our God and Father to curse human beings, who have been made according to God's likeness.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:6

• Psalms 44:5

  In the Scriptures it is often the custom for horns to designate the eminence of faith and of the virtues with which we ought to strike out against and overcome the hostile advances of our ancient enemy, joining the prophet in saying to the Lord, "Through you we will fight against our enemies with the horn."

  On the Tabernacle 3:11

• Psalms 45:7

  He himself promised the favor of the same holy anointing to his companions, … that is, to the faithful; and he sent what he had promised, as we know, not long after.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:15

• Psalms 45:7

  God, his God, has anointed him with the oil of gladness above his companions in order that he may deign to make us also companions of that anointing of his, that is, sharers of spiritual grace.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:25

• Psalms 46:10

  When the labors and hardships of this age come to an end, and our debts, [that is] all our faults, have been forgiven, the entire people of the elect will rejoice eternally in the sole contemplation of the divine vision, and that most longed-for command of our Lord and Savior will be fulfilled: "Be still and see that I am God."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:17

• Psalms 47:5

  He ascended with a shout of jubilation, since he sought heaven as the disciples rejoiced in the glory of his being lifted up. He ascended with the sound of the trumpet, since he went up to the throne of his heavenly kingdom as the angels heralded his return to judge the living and the dead.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:15

• Psalms 51:10

  Let us call to mind that he promised that [Jesus] would send the grace of the Spirit to his disciples, and he did send it. And let us take care with all watchfulness, lest by our seductive thoughts we grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom we have been sealed for the day of redemption. For so it is written, "The Holy Spirit will flee the pretense of discipline, and will remove himself from thoughts that are without understanding." When the psalmist was burning with the desire to receive this Spirit, he providently sought first [to have] the guest chamber of a clean heart in which he could receive him, and so at length [he] sought the entry of so great a guest. "Create a clean heart in me, O God," he said, "renew an upright spirit in my inmost parts." He entreated that first a clean heart be created in him and then that an upright spirit be renewed in his inmost parts, because he knew that an upright spirit could have no place in a defiled heart.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:11

• Psalms 51:10

  It is only by participation in the divine goodness that a rational creature is recognized as being capable of becoming good. Hence the Lord also bears witness by a benevolent promise that "your Father from heaven will give his good Spirit to those who ask him." This is to point out that those who of themselves are evil can become good through receiving the gift of the Spirit. He pledged that his good Spirit would be given by the Father to those asking for him, because whether we desire to secure faith, hope and charity, or any other heavenly goods at all, they are not bestowed on us in any other way than by the gift of the Holy Spirit. So it is that the same Spirit, in Isaiah, is named the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of knowledge and piety, the Spirit of the fear of the Lord; and in another place, the Spirit of love and peace [and] the Spirit of grace and prayers. Undoubtedly whatever good we truly have, whatever we do well, this we receive from the lavishness of the same Spirit. When a prophet who understood this was seeking purity of heart, saying, "Create a pure heart in me, O Lord," he immediately added, "Renew a steadfast spirit within me." If the steadfast Spirit of the Lord does not fill our innermost being, we have no pure heart where he may abide. When in his eager longing for an advance in good for his work he had said, "Lord, I have had recourse to you, teach me to do your will," he at once showed in what way he had to secure this when he went on, "Let your good Spirit lead me into the right way."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:14

• Psalms 55:6-7

  Typologically, however, the desert where John [the Baptist] remained separated from the allurements of the world designates the lives of the saints, who, whether they live as solitaries or mingled with the crowds, always reject the desires of the present world with the whole intention of their minds. They take delight in clinging only to God in the secrecy of their heart and in placing their hope in him. This solitude of mind, most dear to God, is what the prophet desired to attain with the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit when he said, "Who will give me wings as of a dove, and I will fly away and rest?" And as soon as he had secured this [solitude] by the Lord's help, he gave thanks, and as though reviling the entanglements of ordinary earthly desires, he continued, "Behold, I have withdrawn afar in flight, and I have remained in solitude."

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:1

• Psalms 57:5

  Amos too speaks of the glory of the humanity [Christ] had assumed: "He who builds a means of ascent in heaven and founds his promise on earth." He built a means of ascent in heaven when he created for himself a human body and soul in which he would be able to mount up to heaven. He founded his promise on earth when by sending the Spirit from above he filled all the ends of the earth with the gift of his faith, as he had promised. The psalmist, foreseeing in his spirit that the gift of this promise would come and desiring that it come quickly, said, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth!" Here he clearly means that before our Redeemer assumed a mortal body and demolished the kingdom of death, "God was known only in Judah, and in Israel was his name great." But when the God-man arose from the dead and penetrated the heights of heaven, then the glory of his name was proclaimed and believed throughout the whole wide world.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:15

• Psalms 59:9-10

  In order not to falter in good works, we ought always to rely for support on the help of the one who says, "For without me you can do nothing." Hence in order to express the fact that the start of faith and good action is given to us by the Lord, the psalmist properly says, "My God, his mercy goes before me." Again, in order to teach that the good things we do must be accomplished with his assistance, he says, "And your mercy follows after me all the days of my life." In order to show that the prize of eternal life rendered for good works is bestowed on us freely, he says, "Who crowns you in compassion and mercy." He crowns us indeed in mercy and compassion when he repays us with the reward of heavenly blessedness for the good works that he himself has mercifully granted us to carry out.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:2

• Psalms 61:2-3

  We should note that this flood of temptations assails the church in three ways: "one is tempted, drawn on and lured by one's own desire," or is worn down by the depravity of false brothers or is assaulted by the more open snares of those outside [the church]. In another place the Lord calls these temptations "the gates of the lower world," and rightly so, for if victorious they drag us down to eternal destruction. He says, "I shall build my church on this rock, and the gates of the lower world shall not prevail against it." Although the gates of the devil strike against it, yet they do not overthrow Christ's church; although the flood of faithlessness inundates it, it does not undermine the house of faith. For [the church] is able to say truthfully to its helper, "When my heart was disquieted, you raised me up on a rock." It is not vanquished by external forces because, by suffering and acquiring the crown of martyrdom, it triumphs over the ferocity of the unbelievers who persecute it. It is not corrupted by false brothers because it refutes the dogmas of heretics by believing properly, and it avoids the vicious example of some Catholics by living soberly and justly and piously. It is not blinded by the smoke of private greed because it is inwardly aflame with the ardor of the Lord's charity alone.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:25

• Psalms 65:11

  For the fact that each of the four rows worn on the chest contains three stones corresponds to the sequence of the yearly cycle, which is divided into four seasons of three months each. Now in the Scriptures the entire year is designated as the time of our salvation, in which we strive for an eternal reward. As the Savior bears witness, he was sent in accordance with the saying of Isaiah to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of recompense. The psalmist also sings to him concerning the same year, saying, "You bless the crown of the year with your goodness." For in the present time he gives them the goodness of right faith and works, and on the day of recompense he will give the crown of everlasting blessing.

  On the Tabernacle 3:6

• Psalms 68:31

  "Arise and go to the south." It is well that it was in the south that this man was sought, found and washed clean. Burning with devotion in his breast, he deserved to be consecrated to God as, so to speak, the firstfruits of the Gentiles. In him especially was fulfilled that saying of the psalmist, "Ethiopia will stretch out its hands to God."

  Commentary on Acts 8:26A

• Psalms 69:25

  "May his habitation become desolate, and may there be none to dwell in it, and may another take his office." Indeed these verses are clear and plainly set forth by the blessed Peter's interpretation. On the one hand Judas received a deserved penalty for his double-dealing, and as he went to his own proper place (namely, infernal hell), by his untimely and impious death he forsook the common dwelling place of the human way of life. On the other hand, however, by Matthias's acceptance of the place of his [Judas's] ministry and apostolate, the most sacred fullness of apostolic perfection was restored.

  Commentary on Acts 1:20

• Psalms 96:2

  "A savior who is Christ the Lord has been born to you today in the city of David." It is good that [the angel] said "has been born today" and did not say "this night," for with heavenly light he appeared to those who were conducting the watch by night and brought the good news that day was born, namely, the one concerning whom the psalmist foretold, saying, "Announce well his salvation day from day." Indeed the salvation of God, that is, the Lord Jesus, is "day from day" because he who appeared temporally in the city of David as a human being from a virgin mother was, in truth, himself born before all time and without spatial limitation, light from light, true God from true God. Because, therefore, the light of life rose for those of us dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, the herald of this rising suitably says, "A savior has been born to you today," so that being always advised by this word we may recollect that the night of ancient blindness is gone past and the day of eternal salvation has drawn near, and "let us cast off the works of darkness." And let us walk as children of light, "for the fruit of the light, as the same apostle [Paul] says, is in all justice and holiness."

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:6

• Psalms 100:3

  We are taught by their testimonies that "it is God himself and not we ourselves who made us"—not only to be human beings but also to be holy and blessed human beings. If by the gift of his grace we pursue him eagerly, always with a pure and untiring heart, he will be propitious toward all our iniquities, according to the promises made to our ancestors. He will satisfy our desire with good things, he will crown us unto eternal life not as a reward for the works of justice that we have done of ourselves but in the compassion and mercy that he has given us, for he lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, throughout all ages. Amen.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:19

• Psalms 105:39

  "And when Moses had gone up, a cloud covered the mountain." Just as the mountain on which Moses received the law designates the height of the perfection that was written down in that law, so does the cloud that covered the mountain suggest the grace of divine protection, which is enjoyed more and more the higher one ascends in order to search out the wonders of God's law, as the eyes of one's heart are opened. For surely the cloud covered not only the mountain on which Moses went up, but also the people who were traveling through the wilderness. They were by no means able to ascend to the higher regions, but the cloud sent from heaven overshadowed them nevertheless. Hence it is written that "he spread out a cloud for their protection," since the Lord surely protects with heavenly benediction "all those who fear him, both small and great."

  On the Tabernacle 1:1

• Psalms 112:4

  "Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone around them." What does it mean that, as the angel was appearing to the shepherds, the splendor of divine brightness also enclosed them, something that we have never discovered in the whole course of the Old Testament? Though in countless cases angels appeared to prophets and just people, nowhere do we read of angels enclosing the human beings with the brightness of divine light. [Why is this], unless it is because the privilege was properly kept for the dignity of this time? For when the true Light of the world was born in the world, it was unquestionably fitting that the herald of his nativity should also bathe the bodily sight of human beings with the freshness of heavenly light. Now the prophet says concerning his nativity, "A light has arisen in the darkness for those who are righteous in heart." And as though we were asking what the light was to which he refers, he immediately goes on, "He is a merciful and compassionate and just Lord." Therefore, when the merciful and just Maker and Redeemer of the human race deigned to illuminate the world by the glory of a wondrous nativity, it was entirely proper that the brightness of a wondrous light should fill that very region in which he was born.

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:6

• Psalms 113:3-4

  There [on Sinai], after all the legal decrees had been heard, the entire people answered with one voice, "We will hear and do all the words that the Lord has spoken." Here [in the upper room], after the assembly of the church, which was being born, had received the enlightenment of the Spirit, they spoke of the wonders of God in the languages of all countries. Doubtlessly it was thanks to a certain discernment that the observance of the law was given to only one nation, that of the Jews, while the word of the gospel was to be proclaimed to all nations throughout the world, and that the proclamations of the Christian faith were to be spoken in the languages of all peoples, fulfilling the prophecy that says, "From the rising of the sun to its setting, praise the name of the Lord; the Lord is high above all nations."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:17

• Psalms 118:26-27

  "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." "In the name of the Lord" signifies "in the name of God the Father," just as [our Lord] himself said elsewhere to the unbelieving Jews, "I have come in the name of my Father, and you do not receive me; another will come in his own name, him you will receive." Christ came in the name of God the Father, because in everything that he did and said he was concerned with glorifying his Father and with proclaiming to human beings that he is to be glorified. The antichrist will come in his own name, and although he may be the most wicked person of all and a convivial companion of the devil, he will see fit to call himself the Son of God while "being opposed to and raised above everything that is said to be God and is worshiped." The crowd took this verse of praise from Psalm 117 [LXX], and there is no one who doubts that it is sung about the Lord. Hence it is appropriate that there is previously sung of him in the same psalm, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." For Christ, whom the Jews rejected as they were building the decrees of their own traditions, became a memorial for believers from among both peoples, namely, the Jews and the Gentiles. For as to the fact that Christ is called the cornerstone in this psalm, this is what was being chanted in high praise in the gospel by the voice of those who followed and those who went ahead.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:3

• Psalms 119:1-2

  Jesus said, "If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." This statement of our Savior is very helpful for salvation, and we must ponder it attentively. We will be blessed if we know the heavenly commands, yet still more so if we eagerly pursue in our works the things that we know. One who neglects to keep his known commandments is not capable of being happy; one who scorns finding out about these [commandments] is separated much further away from the heritage of the blessed. The psalmist agrees with this. Weighing the hearts of mortals and in like manner perceiving that everyone loves happiness but few ask where it is, he clearly testified as to what is the greatest happiness of human beings in this life, saying, "Blessed are those who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the Lord's law." And lest it be supposed that this way of the undefiled and blessed can be laid hold of indiscriminately by the ignorant and the untaught, he subsequently continued and said, "Blessed are they who search his testimonies and seek him with their whole heart."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:5

• Psalms 119:81

  "And Joseph called his name Jesus." "Jesus" in Hebrew means "saving" or "savior" in Latin. It is clear that the prophets most certainly call on his name. Hence these things are sung in great desire for a vision of him: "My soul will exult in the Lord and take delight in his salvation." "My soul pines for your salvation." "I, however, will glory in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Jesus." And especially that [verse]: "God in your name save me!" as if the [prophet] would say, "You who are called Savior, make bright the glory of your name in me by saving [me]."

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:5

• Psalms 126:5

  But this discourse of the Lord is also appropriate to all believers who are striving to arrive at eternal joys through the tears and distress of the present [life]; who rightly lament and weep and are sorrowful during the present [time], since they are not yet capable of seeing him whom they love. As long as they are in their body they recognize that they are on a journey and [absent] from their fatherland and kingdom. They have no doubt that they must reach their crown by labors and contests. Their sorrow will be changed to joy when, after the struggle of this present life is over, they receive the prize of everlasting life, about which it is said in the psalm, "Those who sow in tears will reap in joy."

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:13

• Psalms 138:1

  It is no secret that angels are frequently present, invisibly, at the side of the elect, in order to defend them from the snares of the cunning enemy and uphold them by the great gift of heavenly desire. The apostle attests to this when he says, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve on account of those who receive an inheritance of salvation?" Nevertheless, we should believe that the angelic spirits are especially present to us when we give ourselves in a special way to divine services, that is, when we enter a church and open our ears to sacred reading, or give our attention to psalm singing, or apply ourselves to prayer or celebrate the solemnity of the mass. Hence the apostle advises women to have a veil over their heads in church on account of the angels. And a prophet says, "I will sing psalms to you in the sight of the angels." We are not permitted to doubt that where the mysteries of the Lord's body and blood are being enacted, a gathering of the citizens from on high is present—those who were keeping such careful watch at the tomb where [Christ's] venerable body had been placed and from which he had departed by rising. Hence we must strive meticulously my brothers, when we come into the church to pay the due service of divine praise or to perform the solemnity of the mass, to be always mindful of the angelic presence and to fulfill our heavenly duty with fear and fitting veneration, following the example of the women devoted to God who were afraid when the angels appeared to them at the tomb, and who, we are told, bowed their faces to the earth.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:10

• Psalms 143:10

  Let us entreat the help of the grace of this Spirit in all our actions, dearly beloved. Let us all, individually and collectively, say to the Lord, "Let your good Spirit lead me in the right way." And so it will come to pass that the one who came down on the apostles and declared to them the things that were to come may disclose also to our minds the joys of the life to come. May he kindly set us on fire to seek these joys, with the cooperation of the one who is accustomed both to promise and to give him to his faithful, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:11

• Psalms 145:18-19

  But we must look attentively at this—that not everyone who seems to pray before other people is proven to ask or to seek or to knock at the entrance of the heavenly kingdom in the sight of the searcher of hearts. The prophet would not have said, "The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth," unless he recognized that there are some who call on the Lord, but not in truth. They do indeed call upon the Lord in truth who do not contradict in their lives what they say in their prayers. They call on the Lord in truth who, as they are about to offer their petitions, first busy themselves with carrying out his orders. Those who, as they are about to say to him in prayer, "And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors," have fulfilled that mandate of his that says, "And whenever you stand to pray, grant pardon if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father too, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins." Hence about such persons the prophet appropriately adds, "He will fulfill the will of those who fear him, and will hearken to their prayers and will save them." Accordingly, they call on the Lord in truth who are acknowledged to fear him. He listens to their prayers when they cry out [to him]; he grants their pious desires when they long for him; he raises them up to eternal salvation when they have passed from this life.

  Homilies on the Gospels 2:14

• Psalms 147:8

  That you may be aware that God the Father worked not only on those first six days but "even until now," read the [saying] of the prophet, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"; and in the psalm, "He who shaped the hearts of every one of them"; and elsewhere, "Who covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth, who produces hay on the mountains," and other things of this sort. We must indeed note that [the psalmist] did not put the verb in the past tense, saying, "who covered and prepared and produced," but in the present, "he covers, prepares, produces" in order to demonstrate that the Father works every day, no less on the sabbath than on other days. So that you may not doubt that the Son works all things equally, recall that [saying] of the psalmist: "He spoke, and flies and gnats came; he spoke, and the locust and the grasshopper came; he spoke, and there stood forth the wind of a storm."

  Homilies on the Gospels 1:23