When the soul betrays itself and loses the blessed and longed-for fervor, let it carefully investigate the reason for losing it. And let it arm itself with all its longing and zeal against whatever caused this. For the former fervor can return only through the same door through which it was lost.
–Saint John Climacus (c. 525-606)
As time goes on, the way will gradually be rendered less rough, and the difficulties will be smoothed away, because the purer our hearts become, the more abundantly we shall receive graces.
–Louis Lallemant (1578–1635)
Even though knowledge is true, it is still not firmly established if unaccompanied by works. For everything is established by being put into practice.
–Saint Mark the Ascetic (Fifth Century)
If the Word of God is living and powerful, and if the Lord does all things whatsoever he wills; if he said, “Let there be light,.” and it happened; if he said, “Let there be a firmament,” and it happened; …if finally the Word of God himself willingly became man and made flesh for himself out of the most pure and undefiled blood of the holy and ever Virgin, why should he not be capable of making bread his Body and wine and water his Blood?… God said, “This is my Body“, and “This is my Blood.”
— Saint John of Damascus (c. 676-750)
Therefore if you occasionally lapse into sin, do not lose heart and cease trying to advance, for God will draw good even out of our falls.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Three things we owe God: love, service, and reverence.
–Saint John of God (1495-1550)
