“Even if our heart lacks love, it longs for love” (St. Francis de Sales).
St. Francis de Sales was a very sensitive spiritual guide who always knew how to encourage a soul and build on the good he found in it, especially when it was in darkness. Thus, today’s phrase can also serve as a consolation and speak to us in the midst of our inner darkness, when we feel incapable of loving and our heart seems closed in on itself.
“Give yourself to God without reserve. He is a Father, and a most loving Father, who would rather allow heaven and earth to collapse than abandon anyone who has placed their trust in Him” (St. Paul of the Cross).
Both through the saints and in His own words, the Lord invites us again and again to trust Him without reserve. It is the golden key that opens the heart of our Father, who values our trust so much—even if it is only a small flame or a mere spark—that He could never ignore it.
“Remain steadfast in yourself! No enemy, whether internal or external, can defeat you if you are master of yourself” (St. Bonaventure).
We could also paraphrase St. Bonaventure as follows: “Keep your inner house in order so that everything is centered on God and in harmony with His will. Then, no matter what happens, we can retreat to that inner refuge of peace and remain there.”
“Chastity is the guardian of the beauty of the soul” (Inspired word).
Mystics often describe the original beauty of the soul and marvel at the wonder of the Lord’s work in creating man. St. Gregory Nazianzen, for example, describes it in these terms:
“Let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12)
This warning from St. Paul is intended to protect us from living with a false sense of security.
“The prayer that a person offers with all their strength has great power. It sweetens a bitter heart, cheers a sad heart, enriches a poor heart, makes a foolish heart wise, makes a timid heart brave, strengthens a weak heart, opens the eyes of a blind heart, and warms a cold soul. It draws the great God to a small heart and lifts the hungry soul to the God of fullness” (St. Matilda of Hackeborn).
“Faith truly exists when one speaks to God in the same way one would speak to a man” (St. John Vianney).
“Stay calm. I am the Eternal One, and I hold time in My hands” (Inner Word).
Spiritual teachers often speak to us about serenity. It means that we should not allow the various events that befall us to rob us of our calm or cause us to act rashly. However, this does not mean a “stoic calm,” which observes everything with a certain indifference and avoids taking any inner stance. Nor does it refer to laziness of soul or spirit, which lets itself be shaken or motivated by nothing and ultimately sinks into indifference.
“Consider that today has been given to you so that through it you may earn eternity. Resolve firmly to make good use of the day for this cause” (St. Francis de Sales).
Today is the day that has been given to me by my Heavenly Father! We cannot know for sure whether there will be a tomorrow. If we make good use of today for eternity and do not waste it, our life will take on a fruitful focus.
“Our angel’s desire to help us is much greater than our desire to let him help us” (St. John Bosco).
In his infinite goodness, our Heavenly Father grants us a reliable friend and lifelong companion. It is a great joy for our guardian angel to accompany us, because on the one hand this service allows him to show his love for God, whose command he fulfills, and on the other hand he can offer us his love through his help and fraternal closeness.
