“Do not look so much at your weaknesses and limitations, but at me who has called you and holds on to you, come what may.” (Inner word)
On the way of discipleship, we can easily be tempted to focus too much on our weaknesses. That would be the other extreme, as opposed to not noticing them at all or only noticing them in other people. Read More
‘What would justice be without mercy? Allied with the darkness of cruelty, it would be injustice rather than justice’ (Saint Catherine of Siena).
Saint Catherine of Siena makes a plea here in favour of mercy. Indeed, in situations such as war, there is a great temptation to go beyond the limits of justice, to let oneself be carried away by the evil inclinations that dwell in the human heart, so that cruelty allies itself with justice, distorting it and making it terrifying.
“We love, because he first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:19).
In a nutshell, Saint John’s Letter leads us to the source and true motivation of love: we want to love because God is love and loved us first. This is the deepest certainty that can accompany us like a constant beacon in all situations of life and become our motivation. We only have to ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of this, and He will surely do so with joy, since He Himself is the love between the Father and the Son. Read More
‘It is not the beginning that is rewarded, but perseverance’ (Saint Catherine of Siena).
There is a very powerful proverb that says, ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ It is a serious warning not to falter on the good path that has been taken or that one wishes to take. Sacred Scripture also gives us similar admonitions, with different formulations. It is always a matter of exhorting us to perseverance and constancy on the path of God.
‘Cultivate an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so that all shadows in your life may vanish and He may guide you without hindrance’ (Inner Word).
What is our contribution to true peace, given that we have no external means to achieve it? True peace will only come when we live in harmony with God, because the root of discord comes from separation from God, that is, from sin.
“Without God’s grace, I could do nothing” (Saint Joan of Arc).
Saint Joan of Arc expresses a fundamental truth in a very simple way. She knows that she depends on God for everything. However, this dependence does not have the negative connotation we usually associate with this term when we refer to a situation that deprives us of our freedom.
“To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts” (Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus).
Saint Thérèse refers here to the work of the Holy Spirit through His seven gifts. When these are active in a soul, it begins to sail like a boat, as described so beautifully in ‘The Little Flower’. Before, the person had to row with their own strength, even though driven by the Holy Spirit. But now, under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit, her journey becomes easier.
‘I have often heard it said in retreats and on other occasions that an innocent soul never loves God as much as a repentant soul. How I long to prove that this is not true!’ (Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus).
“Always remember the end, for lost time never returns” (Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ).
It is not easy for us to put these wise words into practice, even though they would bring so much clarity to our lives. Sacred Scripture also exhorts us: “In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin” (Sir 7:36).
‘O infinitely good God! You never deprive us of your gifts, unless we ourselves withdraw our hearts from you’ (St. Francis de Sales).
The wonderful gifts that God has given us, whether natural or supernatural, are meant to praise His glory and only reach their true splendour when we use them for this purpose. How empty art becomes when it does not glorify God! How vain are words if they do not praise God and edify men! How empty life becomes when it is lived with our backs turned to God!
