There is a little secret in the spiritual life: The more the heart gives thanks, the more God gives, even when life isn’t perfect, even when we don’t have everything we need or want. The more we thank God, the more our heart is open to receive even more of his mercy and his gifts.
–Jacques Philippe (1947-
Tell everything to your spiritual father, and the Lord will have mercy on you and you will escape delusion. But if you think that you know more about the spiritual life than your spiritual father, and you stop telling him everything about yourself in confession, then you will immediately be allowed to fall into some sort of delusion, in order that you may be corrected.
–Saint Silouan the Athonite (1866-1938)
There is no doubt that at times we ourselves can be our own worst enemies. Maybe it’s because our self-love makes us see little mosquitoes as if they were elephants, or perhaps it might be that we lack submission to the will of God. I do know that this happens when we neglect prayer, mortification, and humility, but if we ask Our Lord for these virtues, we will receive them. I want you to be happy, at peace in all circumstances of your life, offering Our Lord your sorrows and your joys because everything comes from His loving hand for the good of our souls.
–Blessed Luisitia Josefa (1866-1937)
My child, try to see all things as coming from God. Receive everything that happens with serenity. Humble yourself, asking Him to do everything for you and continue working with tranquility for the good of your own soul which is the most urgent thing for you to do. Look to God, your soul, and eternity, and for all the rest, do not preoccupy yourself. For greater things you were born.
–Blessed Luisitia Josefa (1866-1937)
All would wish to be saved and to enjoy the glory of paradise; but to gain heaven, it is necessary to walk in the straight road that leads to eternal bliss. This road is the observance of the divine commandments. Hence, in his preaching, the Baptist exclaimed: ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’
–Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Nothing else is required than to act toward God, in the midst of your occupations, as you do, even when busy, toward those who love you and whom you love.
–Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
