Understand two thoughts…

Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Struggle (with Sin)

Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, “You are a saint,” the other, “You won’t be saved.” Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful. He loves people very much, and He will forgive my sins.
–Saint Silouan the Athonite (1866-1938)

Christian Worship

Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Topic

Christian worship… involves then, an adoring acknowledgement: first of God’s cosmic splendor and otherness, next of his redemptive and transfiguring action revealed in history, and last of his immanent guidance of life. Christian worship is never a solitary undertaking. Both on its visible and invisible sides, it has a thoroughly social and organic character. The worshiper, however lonely in appearance, comes before God as a member of a great family; part of the communion of saints, living and dead. His own small effort of adoration is offered “in and for all.”
–Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941)

Humility is bedrock…

Charity, Humility, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic

Humility is to charity what the foundation is to a building. Digging the foundation is not building the house, yet it is the preliminary, indispensable work, the condition sine qua non. The deeper, and firmer it is, the better the house will be and the greater assurance of stability it will have… Humility is the firm bedrock upon which every Christian should build the edifice of his spiritual life….Humility forms the foundation of charity by emptying the soul of pride, arrogance, disordered love of self and of one’s own excellence, and by replacing them with the love of God and our neighbor.
–Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen (1893-1953)