Choose a topic from Part 3a:

10. The Beatific Knowledge in Christ

1. The human soul of Christ is as perfect as a human soulcan be, but it is always a finite soul. Hence this soul,enjoying the beatific vision, does not comprehend the divineEssence in the full and accurate meaning of the wordcomprehend. For to say that the human soul of Christcomprehends the divine Essence would be to say that afinite soul perfectly compasses the infinite; and this is quiteimpossible.

2. Christ as man knows all things in the divine Word, forChrist is the divine Word as well as true and creaturalman. The human mind of Christ does not itself know all thingspossible; here again we should have a case of finite encompassinginfinite. But the human mind of Christ does know, in the Word, allthat is actually said or thought or done by anyone at any time,past, present, or to come.

3. The human soul of Christ knows its own power, and allthat this power can accomplish. And therefore Christ knows that hispower can go on cleansing souls from sin and doing good to man,without limit; it can be said, in this sense, that Christ as man"knows infinite things."

4. The human soul of Christ is united to the Word inPerson; therefore it is more fully enlightened by the Word than anyother creature. Therefore, the human soul of Christ beholds thedivine Essence in vision more perfectly than any other creature inheaven.

"A man should keep himself down, and not busy himself in mirabilibus super se."
St Philip Neri

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"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."
Thomas á Kempis

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"To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself. "
Thomas á Kempis

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