Our prayers and fastings are of less avail, unless they are aided by almsgiving.

Peter, in showing that the Church is one and that only those who are in the Church can be saved, said: "In the Ark of Noah certain persons, numbering only eight, were saved by water, which Baptism effects in like manner for you" (1 Peter 3:20). He proves and demonstrates that the solitary Ark of Noah was the figure of the One Church. If, at the time of this Baptism of the world anyone could have been saved without having been in the Ark of Noah, then he who is outside the Church could now be brought to life by Baptism.

If He prayed who was without sin, how much more it becometh a sinner to pray!

No one is strong in his own strength, but he is safe by the grace and mercy of God.

Baptism pertains to the Church alone.

In proportion to the size of the vessel of faith, brought by us to the Lord, is the measure we draw out of His overflowing grace.

Murder, considered a crime when people commit it singly, is transformed into a virtue when they do it en masse.