Spirituality is not to be learned by flight from the world, or by running away from things, or by turning solitary and going apart from the world. Rather, we must learn an inner solitude wherever or with whomsoever we may be. We must learn to penetrate things and find God there.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
To get at the core of God at his greatest, one must first get to the core of himself at his least, for no one can know God who has not first known himself. This core is a simple stillness, which is unmoved itself but by whose immobility all things are moved and all receive life.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328)
Do not distress yourself on account of any distaste or dryness you experience in God’s service. He wills that you should serve Him fervently and constantly it is true, but without any other help than simple faith, and thus your love will be more disinterested, and your service the more pleasing to Him.
–Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
I desire but this one grace, and long to be consumed like a burning candle in His holy Presence every moment of the life that remains to me… and to acknowledge that burning love He shows us in this wonderful Sacrament. Here His love holds Him captive till the end of time. It is of this one can truly say, “Love triumphs, love enjoys, Love finds in God its joys.”
–Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647- 1690)
God uses times of aridity to press his most beloved souls closer to him. What hinders true union with God is attachment to our disordered inclinations. When, therefore, God wants to draw souls to his perfect love, he tries to detach them from all affection for created goods.
–Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
When we realize that we do not have to be clever, powerful or successful in order to be loved, then we can live in truth, come to the light and be led by the Spirit of God.
–Jean Vanier (1928-
