It is above all on days of weariness, sickness, impatience, temptation, spiritual dryness, and trials, during hours of sometimes terrible anguish which press upon a soul, that holy abandonment is pleasing to God.
–Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923)
And so it is with the soul; unless it is first snowed on by afflictions, troubles and difficulties, it will not flower, it will not fruit; but by enduring, it bears fruit and partakes in a blessing from God.
–Saint Theodore the Studite (c. 759-826)
Let us trust in Him who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear let us bear with the help of Christ. For He is all-powerful, and He tells us: “My yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
–Saint Boniface (c. 675-754)
When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
— GK Chesterton (1874-1936)
If we were to keep the imminence of our death in mind, we would never be overcome by sin: lust which is fleeting would not reign over us; we would never harbor anger against another human being; we would not love the possessions which pass away; and we would forgive every person who offended us. Therefore, beloved, let’s be zealous in carrying out the work we have committed ourselves to, and let’s travel to the end of the road on which we have begun our journey.
–Saint Athanasius the Great (c. 296-373)
The more we are afflicted in this world, the greater is our assurance in the next; the more sorrow in the present, the greater will be our joy in the future.
–Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636)
