Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love their cow – for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God, when they love Him for their own advantage.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
The love of Jesus is at once avid and generous. All that He has, all that He is, He gives; all that we are, all that we have, He takes.
–Jan Van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)
Hear now three things which constitute a good person. The first, which a good person must have, is a clean conscience without reproach of mortal sin…The second thing which pertains to a good person is that he must in all things be obedient to God, and to Holy Church, and to his own proper convictions… The third thing which behoves every good person is that in all his deeds he should have in mind, above all else, the glory of God… Behold, these three things, when they are possessed in this way, make one good.
–Blessed John Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)
Flee to our Lord, and we shall be strengthened. Touch him, and we shall be cleansed. Cling to him, and we shall be safe and sound from every danger. For it is the will of our courteous Lord that we should be as much at home with him as heart may think or soul desire.
–Saint Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
He kindles our understanding, he prepares our ways, he eases our conscience, he comforts our soul, he lightens our heart, and gives us, in part, a knowing and loving in his blessed, blissful godhead, with the gracious mentality of his sweet manhood and his blessed passion, and with a courteous marveling at his noble, surpassing goodness. He makes us love all that he loves for his love, and be well satisfied with him and with all his works.
–Saint Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
Now how can those who do not know their own sinfulness recognize and correct it in others? They are neither able nor willing to go against themselves.
–Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
