The Spiritual life…
The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
To attain true peace one…
Now, if one will attain to true peace, he must yield himself up to this spiritual destitution; he must make nothing of it; he must in all single heartedness resign himself to the holy will of God, and suffer this oppression of spirit in all patience; yes, even if it were to endure to the end of the world.
–Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
Prayer is union with God…
Prayer is nothing else than union with God. When the heart is pure and united with God it is consoled and filled with sweetness; it is dazzled by a marvelous light. In this intimate union God and the soul are like two pieces of wax moulded into one; they cannot any more be separated. It is a very wonderful thing, this union of God with his insignificant creature, a happiness passing all understanding.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Prayer is to our soul what…
Prayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
The saints had…
The saints had no hatred, no bitterness; they forgive everything and think they deserve much more for their offenses against God.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859).
The beginnings of temptation…
Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks. Someone has said very aptly: “Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength.” First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.
–Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
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