The work of a prophet…
Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a scepter but a hoe.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Spiritual life and perfection…
[S]piritual life and perfection… consists in nothing but coming near to God and union with Him, as was said in the beginning. With this is connected a heartfelt realization of the goodness and greatness of God, together with consciousness of our own nothingness and our proneness to every evil; love of God and dislike of ourselves; submission not only to God but also to all creatures, for the sake of our love of God; renunciation of all will of our own and perfect obedience to the will of God; and moreover desire for all this and its practice with a pure heart to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31), from sheer desire to please God and only because He Himself wishes it and because we should so love Him and work for Him.
–Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite (1749-1809)
Recognize sinfulness…
To all who recognize their own sinfulness, remorsefully acknowledge it, and long to be liberated from it, he extends his hand. But he demands that they follow him unconditionally, and renounce everything that can oppose his Spirit within them.
–Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942)
Live out your faith…
If you do not live out your faith enthusiastically, maybe you don’t have any faith.
–Blessed Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
Action and contemplation…
Action is the stream, and contemplation is the spring.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Willingly suffer a bit…
Willingly suffer a bit for God Who suffered so much for you.
–Saint John Bosco (1815-1888)
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