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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)