God belongs to all free beings. He is the life of all, the salvation of all —faithful and unfaithful, just and unjust, pious and impious, passionate and dispassionate, monks and laymen, wise and simple, healthy and sick, young and old —just as the effusion of light, the sight of the sun, and the changes of the seasons are for all alike; ‘for there is no respect of persons with God.’
–Saint John Climacus (c. 525-606)
The soul is made of love and must ever strive to return to love. Therefore, it can never find rest nor happiness in other things. By its very nature it must seek God, who is love.
–Mechthild of Magdeburg (1208-1282)
Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181 – 1226)
No one is really happy merely because of having what they want, but only if they want things they ought to want.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
Christ alone goes rightly, and all who do not follow him are on the wrong track. You must not be surprised that only one does well and many fail, for there is but one way of hitting the mark—to aim the arrow straight at it—and there are countless ways of missing it. To hit the bull’s-eye that wins everlasting life, go by the straight, direct road taken by Christ our Redeemer.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
Blessed are the meek, for they are barricaded from the shots of the devil’s artillery and the persecutions of this world by sacks of wool. They are like glass vessels packed in hay or straw to preserve them from jarring. Meekness is the strong shield by which the arrows of wrath are broken or turned aside. The meek are clothed in very soft cotton which defends them perfectly without offense to anyone.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
