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We ought to give ourselves to God in both mundane and spiritual matters. We should seek our satisfaction only in fulfilling His will, whether that leads to suffering or comfort. All things are equal to a soul truly surrendered to God. There needs to be faithfulness in the dry seasons of the spiritual life, when we feel distant from God and find prayer burdensome. At such times, God is testing our love for Him. Those are the times when we should surrender ourselves to God. If we do this, it will result in spiritual advancement.
He said that if it were my intent to sincerely serve God, I could visit him as often as I wanted, without fear of being a bother to him. But if this was not my intention, I should not come to see him again.
He knew very well that he could do nothing by himself, and God would not fail to give him the strength to bear them.
He said that we ought to relate to God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs as they happen.
But he did not need such solitude, nor did he ask for it. Even the busiest work did not distract him from his communion with God.
When he was troubled, he consulted no one. He knew by the light of faith that God was present, and he contented himself with directing all his actions to Him.
“Useless thoughts spoil everything,” he said. All trouble began there. We ought to let go of such thoughts as soon as we are aware of them. They are worthless to either life or salvation. We should return quickly to our communion with God.
He had pondered this subject much, and concluded that the shortest way to God was to go straight to Him by a continual exercise of love and doing everything for His sake.
All kinds of spiritual disciplines, if they are void of the love of God, cannot remove a single sin from our lives.
“When I fail in my duty to God, I immediately acknowledge it, saying, ‘All I do is sin, and I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself.’ If I do something well, I give God thanks and acknowledge that everything good that I do comes from Him.”
Therefore he feared nothing, and he had no reason to consult anybody about his state. When he had attempted to talk to someone about it, he had always come away more perplexed.
We just need to recognize God as intimately present with us and address ourselves to Him every moment. When in doubt, we can ask His assistance in knowing His will.
All things are possible to him who believes. They are less difficult to him who hopes. They are easier to him who loves. And they are easiest to him who perseveres in the practice of all three virtues.
"O my God, You are with me, and I must now, in obedience to Your commands, apply my mind to these outward things. I beseech You to grant me the grace to continue in Your Presence. To this end I ask that you grant me Your assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my emotions."
There was such a sweet and calm spirit about him, that it could not but affect those who met him. It was observed that even in the midst of the greatest bustle of kitchen work, he preserved his composure and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hurried or loitering. He did everything in its season with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit.
for the first ten years I suffered greatly from the fear that I was not devoted to God enough, even though I desired to be. My past sins were always in my mind. I saw these as the reason and source of my sufferings, in spite of the great unmerited blessing of God’s presence that I also knew.
It seemed to me that all of creation, reason, and even God Himself were against me. Only faith was for me.
I thought that I would spend the rest of my days in suffering. This did not diminish my trust in God, but only increased my faith. Then suddenly I found myself changed. My soul, which until this time had been troubled, felt a profound inward peace. It was as if my soul had found its center and place of rest.
But my Lord, who is full of mercy and goodness, does not punish me. Instead he embraces me in love, seats me at His table, and serves me with His own hands.
Sometimes I consider myself as a stone before a sculptor, who is making a statue. I present myself to God, and I desire Him to make His perfect image in my soul, and make me entirely like Himself.
Let him think of God as often as he can. Let him gradually develop within himself this small but sacred practice. Nobody notices it, and nothing is easier than to repeat these little internal adorations often during the day.
There is no sweeter and delightful life than that of continual communion with God.
Spend the rest of your life in His sacred presence, even if loving him means to be deprived of all other comforts.
One way to focus the mind easily during prayer, and preserve it in peace, is not to let it wander too far at other times during the day. You should keep it strictly in the presence of God. If you are accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm during the time of prayer, or at least to bring it back from its wanderings.
One does not become holy all at once.
We ought to help one another by our advice, and even more by our good examples.
Let us remember often that our only purpose in this life is to please God. Everything else is folly and vanity.
On the one hand, I am grateful when I reflect upon the great things that God has done for me and continues to do unceasingly. On the other hand, I am filled with shame and confusion when I consider how little use I have made of them, and my little progress in the way of perfection.
Let us return with full assurance to the Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us tenderly. Let us renounce completely, for love of Him, everything that is not God. He deserves infinitely more than we give. Let us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him.
We must know God before we can love God. In order to know God, we must think of Him often. When we grow to love Him, then we shall think of Him often.
God works in our hearts according to His will. Perhaps Monsieur was too attached to the one he has lost. We should love our friends, but not so much that it encroaches upon our love of God, which must be primary.
I do not pray that you be delivered from pain. But I earnestly pray to God that He will give you strength and patience to bear the pain.
Be courageous. Offer your pain continually to God. Pray to Him for the strength to endure. Most importantly, maintain a habit of the awareness of God.
Even though it is difficult, we also know that we can do all things with the grace of God, which He never refuses to give to those who ask for it earnestly. Knock, and persevere in knocking.
Let us not amuse ourselves by seeking God or loving God in order to receive blessings from God, no matter how lofty those blessings may be.
The world, the flesh, and the devil join forces and assault the soul directly and relentlessly. Without humble reliance on the ever-present assistance of God, they drag the soul down in spite of all resistance.
We should commit ourselves unceasingly to this one goal: that everything we do be little acts of communion with God. This must be natural and not artificial, coming from the purity and simplicity of the heart.
We must do everything thoughtfully and mindfully, without impulsiveness or rashness, which indicate an undisciplined mind.
Know that God is with you in everything you do.
It is necessary to examine ourselves carefully to find out which virtues we lack most, and which are the hardest for us to acquire. We should seek to discover which sins most easily ensnare us, and at what times and on what occasions we usually fall. In time of struggle we ought to turn to God with perfect confidence, abiding steadfastly in the Presence of His Divine Majesty.
The will's preferences and feelings are bound up in the human soul, while its work, which is love, finds its only purpose in God.
Make it your practice, before beginning any task, to look to God, even if it is just for a moment.
"My God, I am wholly Yours. O God of Love, I love You with all my heart. Lord, make my heart even as Yours."
No soul, which takes delight in worldly things, can find full joy in the Presence of God.
For God’s love is truly a consuming fire, burning to ashes all that is contrary to His will. The soul that is kindled cannot live except in the Presence of God.
