Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
When first I was converted, and became single-minded, I used to think I would be like the little bird which pines for love of its beloved, but which can rejoice in the midst of its longing when he, the loved one, comes. While it sings its joy, it is still yearning, though in sweetness and warmth. It is said that the nightingale will sing her melody all night long to please him to whom she is united. How much more ought I to sing, and as sweetly as I can, to my Jesus Christ, my soul’s spouse, through the whole of this present life.
–Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349)
Grace, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
I cannot tell you how surprised I was the first time I felt my heart begin to warm. It was real warmth, too, not imaginary, and it felt as if it were actually on fire. I was astonished at the way the heat surged up, and how this new sensation brought great and unexpected comfort. I had to keep feeling my breast to make sure there was no physical reason for it! But once I realized that it came entirely from within… I was absolutely delighted, and wanted my love to be even greater.
–Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349)
Love, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
The nature of love is that it is diffusive, unifying, and transforming. It is diffusive when it flows out and sheds the rays of its goodness not merely on friends and neighbors, but on enemies and strangers as well. It unites because it makes lovers one in deed and will, and draws into one Christ and every holy soul. He who holds on to God is one in spirit with him, not by nature, but by grace and identity of will. Love has also the power of transforming, for it transforms the lover into his Beloved, and makes him dwell in him. Thus it happens that when the fire of the Holy Spirit really gets hold of the heart it sets it wholly on fire and, so to speak, turns it into flame, leading it into that state in which it is most like God.
–Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Because it is not what you are nor what you have been that God looks at with his merciful eyes, but what you desire to be.
–Cloud of Unknowing (Fourteenth Century)
Contemplation, Discipleship, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
Just as Martha complained about her sister Mary, in the same way, even to this day, all actives complain about contemplatives.
–Cloud of Unknowing (Fourteenth Century)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
I agree that there are many who appear to have forsaken the world, who do fall away and have fallen away in the past; and instead of becoming God’s servants and his contemplatives, have become the devil’s, because they would not permit themselves to be governed by true spiritual counsel. And so they turn out to be hypocrites or heretics, or they fall into frenzies and many other kinds of misfortune, to the scandal of all holy Church.
–Cloud of Unknowing (Fourteenth Century)
