God longs ardently…

Grace, Gregory Nazianzen (329-c. 391), Love, Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Author, Quote Topic

God accepts our desires as though they were of great value. He longs ardently for us to desire and love him. He accepts our petitions for benefits as though we were doing him a favor. His joy in giving is greater than ours in receiving. So let us not be apathetic in our asking, nor set too narrow bounds to our requests; nor ask for frivolous things unworthy of God’s greatness.
–Saint Gregory Nazianzen (329-c. 391)

Become like Christ…

Gregory Nazianzen (329-c. 391), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)

Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us.  Let us become God’s for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonored that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us.  But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery, and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours.
–Saint Gregory Nazianzen (329-c. 391)