Confession, Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
‘And my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’ [John 14.23] My friends, consider the greatness of this solemn feast that commemorates God’s coming as a guest into our hearts! If some rich and influential friend were to come to your home, you would promptly put it all in order for fear something there might offend your friend’s eyes when he came in. Let all of us then who are preparing our inner homes for God cleanse them of anything our wrongdoing has brought into them.
–Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century), Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Sit in the presence of the Lord every moment of your life, as you think of him and remember him in your heart. Otherwise, when you only see him after a period of time, you will lack freedom of converse with him, out of shame; for great freedom of converse is born out of constant association with him.
–Saint Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century)
Abandonment (of self), Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Do not be angry, or at least troubled because you have been troubled; do not be overcome because you have allowed yourself to be overcome; do not be disquieted because you have allowed yourself to be disquieted by angry passions; but take your heart and place it gently in the hands of our Lord and ask Him to cure it; meanwhile, do all you can to renew and strengthen your good resolutions.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Adversity, Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Do not give into fear in the face of the changes and chances of this life. Rather, as they arise, look at them with full trust in God, to whom you belong, who will enable you – through His powerful love – to profit from them. He has guided you thus far in life; so hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through every trial. Whenever you cannot stand, he will carry you in his loving arms.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Humility, Page: Quotes, Quote Author
The man who denies that he has any imperfections is a just as much a liar as the man who claims that he has no perfections at all. Every person, however holy, has some imperfections; every person, however wicked, has some good points. Made in God’s image, each person reflects something of God’s goodness; made from nothing, every person likewise always carries some imperfections.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Grace, Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
At creation God commanded plants to bear fruit, each according to its kind. (Genesis 1:11-12) In the same way, he commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his church (John 15:5), to produce fruits of devotion, each according to ability and state in life. It must be obvious that devotion ought to be practiced differently by the gentleman, the artist, the employee, the prince, the widow, the celibate, the spouse.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
