It's a slow-going read

People bred by their culture to expect a text to address and immediately answer problems, questions or issues that by their intrinsic nature demand a slower, broader and deeper response will often find themselves frustrated by patristic writers. The quest for immediate spiritual or intellectual gratification is rarely successful; short-term solutions to long-term problems ultimately break down. The fathers are insistent that spiritual, theological and biblical insight does not appear overnight. Instead, they adamantly insist that the Bible opens itself to those who have immersed themselves in its riches and pondered it deeply within the context of prayer, worship and communal reflection.—Christopher Hall, Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers, 180

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All of which are taboo in our instant-on, instant gratification, soundbite-oriented world. No wonder we produce few mystics and saints!

Much as we would like, there is no instant maturity. It requires nurturing a daily, moment-by-moment walk with God. That means putting the phone down!
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