Discipleship, Page: Quotes
The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks in different languages. These different languages are different ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, patience, and obedience; we speak in those languages when we reveal in ourselves these virtues to others. Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. It is useless for a man to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions.
–Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Abandonment (of self), Detachment, Page: Quotes, Spiritual (life)
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1890-1944)
Page: Quotes, Spiritual (life)
Just as the hungry long to eat and the thirsty to drink, so we should be enthusiastic to listen to the word of God. For by listening we gain the greatest benefits. If we are slothful, we put away sloth; if we are eager, we become even more eager; and from both the outcome is good.
— Saint Theodore the Studite (c. 759-826)
Eucharist, Page: Quotes, Spiritual (life)
You receive the Body of the Lord with special care, lest even a tiny crumb of the consecrated gift fall to the floor. You should receive the Word of the Lord with equal care and reverence, lest the tiniest word of it fall to the floor.
— Origen (c. 184- c. 254)
Page: Quotes, Prayer (problems), Spiritual (life)
If you want tonight your spirit with God, you need to understand the true nature of spirituality. Some consider only appearances. They concentrate on penances, vigils, fasting, and other physical deprivations. Others indulge in long prayers, attend public services frequently, spend many hours in church, and take Communion as often as they can. These people are all misguided. These things are little more than the side effects of true piety. While these tools are useful in the spiritual life, they are not its essence… We can become so attached of these rituals that we completely neglect to notice any inner movement of our own hearts. Then we become filled with empty ideas and think that we have tasted the joys of paradise and the delight of angels. We think we have seen God but all we have seen is the devil’s decoy.
— Lawrence Scupoli (1529-1610)
Love (others), Page: Quotes
When you are wronged and your heart and feelings are hardened, do not be distressed, for this has happened providentially; but be glad and reject the thoughts that arise within you, knowing that if they are destroyed at the stage when they are only provocations, their evil consequences will be cut off, whereas if the thoughts persist the evil may be expected to develop.
— Saint Mark the Ascetic (Fifth Century)
