I have often imagined the Church as a large tree with one branch at one extreme and another branch at the other extreme. The branches do not know one another but are receiving sap from the same trunk and they share the same life.
–Oscar Romero (1917-1980) (30 September 1979)
Send your treasures to the heavenly storage room. Deposit your wealth in God’s Bank, distributing it to the poor, the orphans and the widows, so that you can receive a million times more in the Second coming of Christ…
–Joseph the Hesychast (1897-1959)
When prayer becomes contemplative, we may no longer say any words; we listen to the messages that come to us from God. Receiving is a greater act than giving.
–Charles Journet (1891–1975)
Even if Jesus lays on us some part of the Cross, He is there to help us bear it with self, sacrifice and love.
–Saint John XXIII (1881-1963)
Nothing is better able to correct our defects of character, give us a keen desire to resemble our Lord, lead us to imitate Him in everything, and arouse the highest virtues in us. Some characters will succeed in reforming themselves only by the loving contemplation of the divine Master; for we imitate those whom we love, without being conscious of doing so.
–Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (1877–1964)
10 Ways to Open our Minds to Truth
1. Remove ignorance.
2. Remove prejudice.
3. Remove error,
4. Dismiss false principals.
5. Restore the mind.***
6. Cure fickleness.
7. Remedy inordinate curiosity.
8. Moderate rashness.
9. Conquer obstinacy.
10.Overcome spiritual blindness.
–Peter Geierman (1870-1929)
*** “To restore his mind even partially man must purge himself of conceit and selfishness, pray humbly for divine guidance, and seriously concentrate his energies on what is most essential to his calling.”
