28 November 2023
Death is the gate of life. Ingratitude is the soul's enemy...
Ingratitude is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew of
mercy, and the streams of grace. You will find something far greater in the
woods than you will find in books. Stones and trees will teach you that which
you will never learn from masters.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Short and Fleeting
26 November 2023
Short and fleeting are the joys of this world’s pleasures which endeavors to turn aside from the path of life those who are called to eternity. The faithful and religious spirit, therefore, must desire the things which are heavenly, and being eager for the Divine promises, lift itself to the love of the incorruptible Good and the hope of the true Light.
Saint Leo the Great
Short and fleeting are the joys of this world’s pleasures which endeavors to turn aside from the path of life those who are called to eternity. The faithful and religious spirit, therefore, must desire the things which are heavenly, and being eager for the Divine promises, lift itself to the love of the incorruptible Good and the hope of the true Light.
Saint Leo the Great
Sing to the Lord
25 November 2023
Theology is doxology. Theology must sing… The song of the church must be an unending song. The church must cherish the best, but its song should not be a mere repetition of the song of the past. Then shall we sing with grace, with all the emphasis on God and a most unsentimental subordination of ourselves. We shall sing to the Lord. With our song we shall guide one another continually to the center and fountain of the Christian’s life and thus really teach and admonish one another. We shall sing in our hearts; the whole man will sing. We shall see then realized the ideal of all Christian song: the whole man with all his powers, with all the skills and gifts that God has bestowed upon him wholly bent on giving utterance to the peace that rules within him, wholly given to the purpose of letting the Word of Christ that dwells in him richly become articulate and audible through him to the upbuilding of the church and the glory of God. Then shall our theology be doxology.
Martin H. Franzmann
Theology is doxology. Theology must sing… The song of the church must be an unending song. The church must cherish the best, but its song should not be a mere repetition of the song of the past. Then shall we sing with grace, with all the emphasis on God and a most unsentimental subordination of ourselves. We shall sing to the Lord. With our song we shall guide one another continually to the center and fountain of the Christian’s life and thus really teach and admonish one another. We shall sing in our hearts; the whole man will sing. We shall see then realized the ideal of all Christian song: the whole man with all his powers, with all the skills and gifts that God has bestowed upon him wholly bent on giving utterance to the peace that rules within him, wholly given to the purpose of letting the Word of Christ that dwells in him richly become articulate and audible through him to the upbuilding of the church and the glory of God. Then shall our theology be doxology.
Martin H. Franzmann
Animosity
24 November 2023
If we look inside our hearts and find there even a trace of animosity toward others for the wrongs they have done to us, then we should realize that we are still far removed from the love of God. The love of God absolutely precludes us from hating any human being.
Saint Maximos the Confessor
If we look inside our hearts and find there even a trace of animosity toward others for the wrongs they have done to us, then we should realize that we are still far removed from the love of God. The love of God absolutely precludes us from hating any human being.
Saint Maximos the Confessor
Concerning Thanksgiving
23 November 2023
When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.
St. Basil the Great
When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.
St. Basil the Great
On Human Dignity
22 November 2023
People are equal in one sense only, but it's a decisive sense deeper than any simple equations of worth. Think of it this way: Does a mother really love each irreplaceable child she bears "equally" - or in some much more profound and intimate way? Can a good father really weigh the "comparative value" of the young lives that come from his own flesh and blood? Our dignity is rooted in the God who made us. His love, shared in every parent's experience, is infinite and unique for each of us as individual persons - because each son and daughter is unrepeatable. Only God's love guarantees our worth. And therein lies our equality. Nothing else has God's permanence. In him, our inequalities become not cruelties of fate, but openings to love, support, and "complete" each other in his name.
Charles J. Chaput
People are equal in one sense only, but it's a decisive sense deeper than any simple equations of worth. Think of it this way: Does a mother really love each irreplaceable child she bears "equally" - or in some much more profound and intimate way? Can a good father really weigh the "comparative value" of the young lives that come from his own flesh and blood? Our dignity is rooted in the God who made us. His love, shared in every parent's experience, is infinite and unique for each of us as individual persons - because each son and daughter is unrepeatable. Only God's love guarantees our worth. And therein lies our equality. Nothing else has God's permanence. In him, our inequalities become not cruelties of fate, but openings to love, support, and "complete" each other in his name.
Charles J. Chaput
On Prayer
21 November 2023
Prayer is the deliberate and persevering action of the soul. It is true and enduring, and full of grace. Prayer fastens the soul to God and makes it one with his will, through the deep and wide working of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Julian of Norwich
Prayer is the deliberate and persevering action of the soul. It is true and enduring, and full of grace. Prayer fastens the soul to God and makes it one with his will, through the deep and wide working of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Julian of Norwich
Recollection of Injuries
20 November 2023
The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin, and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight. It is like a worm in the mind: it confuses our speech and tears to shreds our petitions to God. It is foreign to charity: it remains planted in the soul like a nail. It is wickedness that never sleeps, sin that never fails. It is indeed a daily death.
Saint Francis of Paola
The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sin, and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight. It is like a worm in the mind: it confuses our speech and tears to shreds our petitions to God. It is foreign to charity: it remains planted in the soul like a nail. It is wickedness that never sleeps, sin that never fails. It is indeed a daily death.
Saint Francis of Paola
On Prayer
19 November 2023
Stand patiently and pray steadfastly, brushing off the impacts of worldly cares and all thoughts; for they distract and worry you in order to disturb the impetus of your prayer.
Saint Nilus of Sinai
Stand patiently and pray steadfastly, brushing off the impacts of worldly cares and all thoughts; for they distract and worry you in order to disturb the impetus of your prayer.
Saint Nilus of Sinai
Christian Duty
15 November 2023
The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny oneself. To deny oneself means: to give up one’s bad habits, to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world… to be dead to sin and the world, but alive to God. A Christian’s second duty is to take up one’s cross. The word “cross” means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To “take up one’s cross” means to accept without complaint everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that may happen to us in life. In other words, to bear all laughter, scorn, weariness, sorrow and annoyance from others; to bear all poverty, misfortune, illness, without regarding yourself as offended.
Saint Innocent of Alaska
The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny oneself. To deny oneself means: to give up one’s bad habits, to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world… to be dead to sin and the world, but alive to God. A Christian’s second duty is to take up one’s cross. The word “cross” means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To “take up one’s cross” means to accept without complaint everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that may happen to us in life. In other words, to bear all laughter, scorn, weariness, sorrow and annoyance from others; to bear all poverty, misfortune, illness, without regarding yourself as offended.
Saint Innocent of Alaska
On Falsehood
14 November 2023
In the Scriptures it is written that falsehood is from the evil one, and that He is the "Father of Lies" (John 8:44), while God is truth, for He Himself says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6). Thus you see from whom we estranged ourselves and to whom we are united by a lie. So then, if we really want to be saved, we must love truth with our whole hearts and guard ourselves from all falsehood. There are three different types of lies: in thought, in word, and in life itself. A man lies in thought when he accepts as true his own imaginations, that is his vain despite of his neighbor. Such a one, when he sees that someone is conversing with his neighbor, makes his own estimation and says, "They are talking about me." If someone say a word, he considers that it was said to grieve him. Never believe your own guesses and interpretations, for a crooked measurement makes even the straight to be crooked. Human opinion is false and harms those who are given to it. The one who sins in word is one who, for example, when out of despondency he has not gotten up for the service, does not say, "Forgive me, I was too lazy to get up," but says, "I had a fever, I had too much work, I hadn't the strength to get up, I was sick," and says ten false statements, rather than make a single prostration and be humbled. And if he should be rebuke is such a situation, he changes his words and argues, in order not to be rebuked. One who lies by his life is one who, if he is defiled, pretends to be chaste, or if he is avaricious, praises almsgiving, or if he is proud praises humility. Thus, in order to escape falsehood and be delivered from the part of the evil one, let us strive to appropriate truth, in order to have union with God.
St. Abba Dorotheos
In the Scriptures it is written that falsehood is from the evil one, and that He is the "Father of Lies" (John 8:44), while God is truth, for He Himself says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6). Thus you see from whom we estranged ourselves and to whom we are united by a lie. So then, if we really want to be saved, we must love truth with our whole hearts and guard ourselves from all falsehood. There are three different types of lies: in thought, in word, and in life itself. A man lies in thought when he accepts as true his own imaginations, that is his vain despite of his neighbor. Such a one, when he sees that someone is conversing with his neighbor, makes his own estimation and says, "They are talking about me." If someone say a word, he considers that it was said to grieve him. Never believe your own guesses and interpretations, for a crooked measurement makes even the straight to be crooked. Human opinion is false and harms those who are given to it. The one who sins in word is one who, for example, when out of despondency he has not gotten up for the service, does not say, "Forgive me, I was too lazy to get up," but says, "I had a fever, I had too much work, I hadn't the strength to get up, I was sick," and says ten false statements, rather than make a single prostration and be humbled. And if he should be rebuke is such a situation, he changes his words and argues, in order not to be rebuked. One who lies by his life is one who, if he is defiled, pretends to be chaste, or if he is avaricious, praises almsgiving, or if he is proud praises humility. Thus, in order to escape falsehood and be delivered from the part of the evil one, let us strive to appropriate truth, in order to have union with God.
St. Abba Dorotheos
Man's Anger
13 November 2023
We must, with God’s help, eradicate the deadly poison of the demon of
anger from the depths of our souls. So long as he dwells in our hearts and
blinds the eyes of the heart with his somber disorders, we can neither
discriminate what is for our good, nor achieve spiritual knowledge, nor fulfill
our good intentions, nor participate in true life; and our intellect will
remain impervious to the contemplation of the true, divine light; for it is
written, “Man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (Jms.
1:20).
Saint John Cassian
Love the Lord
12 November 2023
Let us all love the Lord God with all our heart, all our soul, with all
our mind and all our strength and with fortitude and total understanding, with
all of our powers, with every effort, every affection, every emotion, every
desire, and every wish. He has given and gives to each one of us our whole
body, our whole soul, and our whole life. He created us and redeemed us, and
will save us by his mercy alone. He did and does every good thing for us who
are miserable and wretched, rotten and foul-smelling, ungrateful and evil. Therefore
let us desire nothing else let us wish for nothing else, let nothing else
please us and cause us delight except our Creator and Redeemer and Savior, the
one true God…Therefore, let nothing hinder us, nothing separate us or nothing
come between us. Let all of us wherever we are, in every place, at every hour,
at every time of day, every day and continually believe truly and humbly and
keep in our heart, and love, honor, adore, serve, praise and bless, glorify and
exalt, magnify and give thanks to the most high and supreme eternal God,
Trinity and Unity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Saint Francis of Assisi
On Prayer
11 November 2023
The purpose of prayer is not to inform our Lord what you desire, for He
knows all your needs. It is to render you able and ready to receive the grace
which our Lord will freely give you. This grace cannot be experienced until you
have been refined and purified by the fire of desire in devout prayer. For
although prayer is not the cause for which our Lord gives grace, it is
nevertheless the means by which grace, freely given, comes to the soul.
Walter Hilton
The Fruit of Grace
10 November 2023
The mysterious growth of Jesus Christ in our heart is the accomplishment of God’s purpose, the fruit of his grace and divine will. This fruit, as has been pointed out, forms, grows, and ripens in the succession of our duties to the present which are continually being replenished by God, so that obeying them is always the best we can do. We must offer no resistance and blindly abandon ourselves to his divine will in perfect trust.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade
The mysterious growth of Jesus Christ in our heart is the accomplishment of God’s purpose, the fruit of his grace and divine will. This fruit, as has been pointed out, forms, grows, and ripens in the succession of our duties to the present which are continually being replenished by God, so that obeying them is always the best we can do. We must offer no resistance and blindly abandon ourselves to his divine will in perfect trust.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Praying the Psalms
8 November 2023
If any oppressive sorrow has come upon you, either by an injury bought on by others, or by a besetting fault, or by overwhelming, domestic loss or if you have been made sad for any reason at all, you should by no means gather at that hour to murmur against one another and place the blame on God's judgments but rather come together at the church and on bended knee pray to the Lord that he may send the grace of his consolation, lest the sadness of the world which brings death swallow you up. You yourselves also drive away the harmful disease of sadness from your heart by the frequent sweetness of psalm-singing.
The Venable Bede
If any oppressive sorrow has come upon you, either by an injury bought on by others, or by a besetting fault, or by overwhelming, domestic loss or if you have been made sad for any reason at all, you should by no means gather at that hour to murmur against one another and place the blame on God's judgments but rather come together at the church and on bended knee pray to the Lord that he may send the grace of his consolation, lest the sadness of the world which brings death swallow you up. You yourselves also drive away the harmful disease of sadness from your heart by the frequent sweetness of psalm-singing.
The Venable Bede
Be Humble
7 November 2023
Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.
Saint Andrew of Crete
Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.
Saint Andrew of Crete
On Truth
6 November 2023
The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.
Flannery O’Connor
The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.
Flannery O’Connor
Tranquil Heart
4 November 2023
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.
Thomas à Kempis
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.
Thomas à Kempis
God is Marvelous
3 November 2023
God… is marvelous in all His works, but still more marvelous in His mercies.
Saint John of Avila
God… is marvelous in all His works, but still more marvelous in His mercies.
Saint John of Avila
On Prayer
2 November 2023
Seven characteristics are required in prayers. Prayer should be faithful, in accordance with the scripture: “Whatever you pray for, believe that you already have it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) then prayer should be pure, after the example of Abraham, who drove the birds away from his sacrifice. (Genesis 15:11) Third, it should be just. Fourth, it should be heartfelt, since “the heartfelt prayer of a just person works very powerfully.” (James 5:16) fifth, it should be humble. Sixth, it should be fervent (these last two characteristics you see in the mustard seed.) And seventh, it should be devout.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Seven characteristics are required in prayers. Prayer should be faithful, in accordance with the scripture: “Whatever you pray for, believe that you already have it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) then prayer should be pure, after the example of Abraham, who drove the birds away from his sacrifice. (Genesis 15:11) Third, it should be just. Fourth, it should be heartfelt, since “the heartfelt prayer of a just person works very powerfully.” (James 5:16) fifth, it should be humble. Sixth, it should be fervent (these last two characteristics you see in the mustard seed.) And seventh, it should be devout.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Grace of Devotion
1 November 2023
Anyone, therefore, who shall with simplicity of heart direct his intention to God and free himself from all inordinate love or dislike for any creature will be most fit to receive grace and will be worthy of the gift of devotion. For where the Lord finds the vessel empty He pours down His blessing.
Thomas à Kempis
Anyone, therefore, who shall with simplicity of heart direct his intention to God and free himself from all inordinate love or dislike for any creature will be most fit to receive grace and will be worthy of the gift of devotion. For where the Lord finds the vessel empty He pours down His blessing.
Thomas à Kempis
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