Discipleship, Page: Quotes, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
The Lord asks only two things of us: love for his Majesty and love for our neighbor. It is for these two virtues that we must strive, and if we attain them perfectly we are doing his will and so shall be united with him … The surest sign that we are keeping these commandments is, I think, that we should really be loving our neighbor: for we cannot be sure if we are loving God, although we may have good reasons for believing that we are, but we can know quite well if we are loving our neighbor. And be certain that, the farther advanced you find you are in this, the greater the love you will have for God.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Love, Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
What more do we desire from such a good friend at our side? Unlike our friends in the world, he will never abandon us when we are troubled or distressed. Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near… Whenever we think of Christ we should recall the love that led him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of his love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love him. For if at some time the Lord should grant us the grace of impressing his love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall accomplish great things quickly and without effort.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Love (simple acts), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Page: Quotes, Prayer (why), Quote Author, Quote Topic, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Souls without prayer are like bodies, palsied and lame, having hands and feet they cannot use.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Author, Quote Topic, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
It is well to seek greater solitude so as to make room for the Lord and allow His Majesty to do His own work in us. The most we should do is occasionally, and quite gently, to utter a single word, like a person giving a little puff to a candle, when he sees it has almost gone out, so as to make it burn again
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Sainthood, Spiritual (life), Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
