Just as a basic concern is to be careful of anything that might be harmful to our physical health, so our spiritual concern should watch out for anything that might harm our spiritual life and the work of faith and salvation. Therefore, carefully and attentively assess your inner impulses: are they from God or from the spirit of evil?
–Saint John Maximovich (1896-1966)
Patient waiting is necessary that we may fulfill what we have begun to be and, through God’s help, that we may obtain what we hope for and believe.
–Saint Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200-258)
Whenever we think of Christ we should recall the love that led him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of his love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love him. For if at some time the Lord should grant us the grace of impressing his love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall accomplish great things quickly and without effort.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Banish, therefore, from your heart the distractions of earth and turn your eyes to spiritual joys, that you may learn at last to rest in the light of the contemplation of God.
–Saint Albert the Great (c. 1206-1280)
Even in this one should bear in mind the difference between the contemplation of faithful Christians and that of pagan philosophers, for the contemplation of the philosophers is for the perfection of the contemplator himself, and consequently it is confined to the intellect and their aim in it is intellectual knowledge. But the contemplation of the Saints, and of Christians, is for the love of him, that is of the God they are contemplating.
–Saint Albert the Great (c. 1206-1280)
