In prayerful silence you must look into your own heart. No one can tell you better than yourself what comes between you and God. Ask yourself. Then listen!
–Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
Works of mercy…
When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.
–Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
Contemplate his passion…
Let us contemplate with the eyes of our heart, Jesus, that is, our Saviour, the Lamb without spot, how He bore therein all our sins; how heavily, all alone, He trod the wine-press, that like the grape that is pressed with all care, He, too, might be pressed in the wine-press of His Passion, and might pour upon us richly, and give us to drink, the red wine of His precious Blood, so as to make us drunk with His love. –Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
Charity quenches sin…
Have charity, first for our own souls, then with the neighbor. For, as water quenches fire, so charity quenches sin.
–Saint John of God (1495-1550)
Have charity always…
Love our Lord, Jesus Christ, above everything in the world, because the more you love Him, the more He will love you. Have charity always, for where charity is not found God is not there, even though he is everywhere.
–Saint John of God (1495-1550)
Prayer is an activity…
Prayer is an activity becoming to the dignity of the mind, or rather, is its real use.
–Saint Nilus of Sinai (d. 430)