The young of a bird, unless it be matured...
The young of a bird, unless it be matured, is not able to break through its imperfect covering. Oh perfect it, Thou that perfects all things! The bird is brought first from the belly to the egg, and then to the nest. When it is perfected, it flies in the air: it spreads its wings in the mystery of the cross.
Faith too is perfected three-foldly — through the Father, through the Son, and through the Holy Spirit, and then flies to the four quarters, in the mystery of the cross.
St Ephrem the Syrian
