Invite by grace…
As God sees the world tottering to ruin because of fear, he acts unceasingly to bring it back by love, to invite it by grace, to hold it by charity and clasp it firmly with affection.
–Saint Peter Chrysologus (c. 380 – c. 450)
To receive, give…
When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give.
–Saint Peter Chrysologus (c. 380 – c. 450)
Live in his kingdom…
If we desire to live in the dwelling-place of his kingdom there is no means of reaching it except by the way of good deeds.
–Saint Benedict (480-547)
Our inner homes…
‘And my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’ [John 14.23] My friends, consider the greatness of this solemn feast that commemorates God’s coming as a guest into our hearts! If some rich and influential friend were to come to your home, you would promptly put it all in order for fear something there might offend your friend’s eyes when he came in. Let all of us then who are preparing our inner homes for God cleanse them of anything our wrongdoing has brought into them.
–Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
Sit in the presence…
Sit in the presence of the Lord every moment of your life, as you think of him and remember him in your heart. Otherwise, when you only see him after a period of time, you will lack freedom of converse with him, out of shame; for great freedom of converse is born out of constant association with him.
–Saint Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century)
Contemplation and prayer…
Just as love and self-control destroy evil thought so contemplation and prayer destroy all self-exaltation.
–Saint Thalassios the Libyan (6th-7th Centuries)
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