A citation from the library
Patristic A.D. 604 · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Ezek 40:39 (Homilies on Ezekiel, Book 2, Homily 9)

Gregory the Great, on Ezek 40:39

Gregory the Great · c. A.D. 540–604
Ezek 40:39 · Douay-Rheims
“And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side: that the holocaust, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering might be slain thereon.”
On this verse:
“That the holocaust might be slain upon them, and for sin, and for trespass. Concerning the four tables of the inner vestibule it is said: "That the holocaust might be slain upon them, and for sin, and for trespass." For there is this difference between sin and trespass: sin is to do evil things, while trespass is to abandon good things which ought especially to be maintained. Or certainly sin is in deed, trespass in thought. Rightly therefore upon the four tables of the inner gate the holocaust is slain, both for sin and for trespass, because whoever is able to fully despise this present age, and, leaving all things behind, give himself as a holocaust to the Lord, he already knows perfectly how to lament both the sins of deed and the trespasses of thought—either the evil he did, or the good he ought to have done but did not do. For he who has left behind everything now more freely perceives his faults in weeping. And when earthly care does not hinder his mind, by lamenting for both deed and thought together, what else has he given to the almighty Lord than a holocaust of his mind?”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

Read Ezek 40:39 in context →