To get at the core of God at his greatest, one must first get to the core of himself at his least, for no one can know God who has not first known himself. This core is a simple stillness, which is unmoved itself but by whose immobility all things are moved and all receive life.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
With the love of God, people will be able to accept and endure whatever happens to them. They will gently forget the harm that is done to them. There is nothing else in human experience that will bring you as close to God or form a more certain bond.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
No one of us desires anything so eagerly as God desires to bring us to the knowledge of Himself. God is always ready, but we are very unready. God is near us, but we are far from Him. God is within, and we are without. God is friendly — we are estranged.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
I have a capacity in my soul for taking in God entirely. I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
Every day He humbles Himself just as He did when from from His heavenly throne into the Virgin’s womb; every day He comes to us and lets us see Him in lowliness, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
For One in such a lofty position to stoop so low is a marvel that is staggering. What sublime humility and humble sublimeness, that the Lord of the Universe, the Divine Son of God, should stoop as to hide Himself under the appearance of bread for our salvation! See the humility of God, brothers, and pour out your hearts before Him.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
