Why God lets us suffer…
Time is but a shadow, a dream; already God sees us in Glory and takes joy in our eternal beatitude. How this thought helps my soul. I understand then why he lets us suffer.
–Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)
Suffering is the means…
He longs to give us a magnificent reward. He knows that suffering is the only means of preparing us to know Him as He knows Himself, and to become ourselves divine.
–Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)
The divine scriptures…
I desire and exhort my brethren to show all possible respect to the Divine Scriptures wherever they see them, and if they should be found in any improper place, or scattered about in a disrespectful manner, let them collect and put them in a becoming place as far as possible, in order to show reverence to the words of the Lord. For many things are sanctified by the Word of God, and the mystery of the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar is accomplished by the power of the words of Jesus Christ.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
Testimonies of scripture…
It is good to read the testimonies of Scripture; it is good to seek the Lord our God in them. As for me, however, I have already made so much of Scripture my own that I have more than enough to meditate on and turn over in my mind. I need no more… I know Christ, the poor crucified One.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
Approach scripture…
When you approach Scripture, examine the intention of the words, in order to measure and understand with great discernment the depth and holiness of meaning that it holds. Those who throughout their life have been led toward enlightenment by grace feel all the time a kind of spiritual ray shining through the verses, and in the Spirit they identify the words and their deep meaning.
–Saint Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century)
In the Holy Scriptures…
In all things that you find in the Holy Scriptures, seek out the purpose of the words, that you may enter into the depth of the thoughts of the saints and understand them with greater exactness. Do not approach the reading of the Divine Scriptures without prayer and asking the help of God. Consider prayer to be the key to the true understanding of that which is said in the Holy Scriptures.
–Saint Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century)
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