Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
The faith of those who live their faith is a serene faith. What you long for will be given you; what you love will be yours for ever. Since it is by giving alms that everything is pure for you, you will also receive that blessing which is promised next by the Lord: the Godhead that no man has been able to see. In the inexpressible joy of this eternal vision, human nature will possess what eye has not seen or ear heard, what man’s heart has never conceived.
–Saint Leo the Great (c. 400-461)
Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life), Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Be content that you are not yet a saint, even though you realize that the only thing worth living for is sanctity. Then you will be satisfied to let God lead you to sanctity by paths that you cannot understand. You will travel in darkness in which you will no longer be concerned with yourself and no longer compare yourself to other men. Those who have gone by that way have finally found out that sanctity is in everything and that God is all around them, they suddenly wake up and find that the joy of God is everywhere.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
In the case of a detached man who draws his senses inward from external objects and establishes himself in the inner castle of his soul, the less he finds within to cling to, the more painful are his interior sufferings, and the more quickly he dies, the more swiftly he bursts through to God.
–Blessed Henry Suso (c. 1295 – 1366)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Simplicity brings back the joys of Paradise. Not that we have pure pleasure without a moment’s suffering, but when we are surrendered to God, we are not grasping for pleasure, and even our troubles are received with thanksgiving. This inner harmony, and this deliverance from fear and the tormenting desires of self, create a satisfaction in the soul which is above all the intoxicating joys of this world put together.
–François Fénèlon (1651-1715)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
When we are truly in this interior simplicity our whole appearance is franker, more natural. This true simplicity. . . makes us conscious of a certain openness, gentleness, innocence, gaiety, and serenity. O, how amiable this simplicity is! Who will give it to me? I leave all for this. It is the pearl of the Gospel.
–François Fénèlon (1651-1715)
Discipleship, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
You have here no lasting home. You are a stranger and a pilgrim wherever you may be, and you shall have no rest until you are wholly united with Christ.
–Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
