Cheerfulness consists in not regarding things as our own, but as entrusted to us by God for the benefit of our fellow servants. It consists in scattering them abroad generously with joy and magnanimity, not reluctantly or under compulsion.
–Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
If then you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world, and for ever in the next.
–Saint Jerome Emiliana (1481-1537)
God is infinite and without end, but the soul’s desire is an abyss which cannot be filled except by a Good which is infinite; and the more ardently the soul longeth after God, the more she wills to long after him; for God is a Good without drawback, and a well of living water without bottom, and the soul is made in the image of God, and therefore it is created to know and love God.
–Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.
–Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
There is still
time for endurance,
time for patience,
time for healing,
time for change.
Have you slipped? Rise up.
Have you sinned? Cease.
Do not stand among sinners, but leap aside.
— Saint Basil (329-379)
But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure. In order to preserve it there is nothing more useful than renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the divine heart. In this way his will can carry out for us whatever contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and to trust entirely in him.
–Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647- 1690)
