Vices and virtues…
All the virtues grow through the practice of any one of them, and all the vices grow through the practice of any one of them likewise.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Practice those things pleasing…
Some torment themselves in seeking means to discover the art of loving God, and do not know – poor creatures – that there is no art or means of loving Him but to love those who love Him – that is, to begin to practice those thing which are pleasing to Him.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Humble beginnings…
God always gives a greater blessing to humble beginnings than to those that start with the chiming of bells.
–Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
Call upon God…
Put up all your cares to God. He cares for you. Do not become faint-hearted, and do not distress yourselves. He who searches out the hidden depths of a man’s soul, knows your desires too, and has the power to fulfil them as he knows. For your part, ask of God, and do not lose your courage. Do not think that, since the longing you have is holy, you have a right to complain, when your prayers are not heard. God fulfils your longings in a way that you do not know. So be at peace then, and call upon God.
–Saint Nektarios of Aegina (1846-1920)
Our Lord loves you tenderly…
Our Lord loves you and loves you tenderly; and if He does not let you feel the sweetness of His love, it is to make you more humble and abject in your own eyes.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
Oil in our lamps…
What is necessary is to continue to love. How does a lamp burn, if it is not by the continuous feeding of little drops of oil? When there is no oil, there is no light and the bridegroom will say: “I do not know you.” Dear friends, what are our drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things from every day life: the joy, the generosity, the little good things, the humility and the patience. A simple thought for someone else. Our way to be silent, to listen, to forgive, to speak and to act. That are the real drops of oil that make our lamps burn vividly our whole life.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
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