Give your intentions in prayer to God, Who knows everyone, even before our birth. And do not ask that everything will be according to your will, because a man does not know what is profitable for him. But say to God: Let Thy will be done! For He does everything for our benefit.
— Saint Gennadius of Constantinople (Fifth Century)
What people don’t realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross.
–Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964)
Because Christ comes to us in human hands, just as he first came in a woman’s arms, no one need ever be quite alone and without human help. He comes to the loneliest, to outcasts, degenerates, strangers, to prisoners and to men and women in the condemned cell, and comes to them all in the hands of a fellow creature who is lead to them by the Spirit of Love.
–Caryll Houselander (1901-1954)
When we make a sacrifice it is always thus, we have to give something up, not because it is a bad thing– for more often it is a good thing– but the offering of ourselves is a complete offering, it means a whole attention, a whole concentration, a whole donation.
–Caryll Houselander (1901-1954)
There are saints indeed in my religion; but a saint only means a man who really knows that he is a sinner.
–GK Chesterton (1874-1936)
If you are not able to be silent, you will not be able to speak well.
–Henri Nouwen (1932–1996)
