Grace shapes how we read and how we live. Origen maps the spiritual sense as pattern and shadow, Augustine lifts our eyes to “In the beginning” without losing the nest of simple faith, and Aquinas clarifies that friendship adorns—but does not constitute—perfect happiness, even as it greatly helps us on the way. Together they train us to love the Word beneath the words and to order our loves toward the Good we cannot lose. (Colossians 2:16–17; Hebrews 8:5; Proverbs 8:22–31; Proverbs 17:17; Revelation 21:23)

Readings:

Origen, De Principiis, Book 4, Chapter 1 (Sections 13–14)

Augustine, The Confessions, Book 12, Chapter 28

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 4, Article 8

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