In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1 Quotes

“This attitude will stand in marked contrast to the pervasive distrust and aggressiveness of our environment. When those around us see that we are trustworthy, that we are ready to be of service, that we do not harbour resentment, that we do not speak ill of anyone ... They should find that Christians are different because we follow Christ. We may have different opinions one from another, but we do not attack other people personally. When no one is excluded from our apostolate and assistance, then we are giving true testimony to Christ.”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“The human heart is endowed with an enormous coefficient of expansion. When it loves, it opens out in a crescendo of affection that overcomes all barriers. If”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“We could say that suffering, which is present under so many different forms in our human world, is also present in order to unleash love in the human person, that unselfish gift of one’s ‘I’ on behalf of other people, especially those who suffer. The world of human suffering unceasingly calls for, so to speak, another world: the world of human love; and in a certain sense man owes to suffering that unselfish love which stirs in his heart and actions.[211”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“What have I that makes you seek my friendship? What could lead you O my Jesus, To stand at my door covered with frost, Through the dark winter nights. Oh, how hard my heart was In not opening its door to you! What strange madness That the cold ice of my ingratitude Should dry the wounds of your poor feet! How many times has my Angel told me: ‘Soul, look out of your window right now And you’ll see how lovingly he keeps knocking!’ And how many times, sovereign beauty, I answered, ‘Tomorrow we will open to him,’ Only to answer the very same thing the next day![25”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“You said to me: Father, I am having a very rough time. In answer I whispered in your ear: Take upon your shoulders a small part of that cross, just a tiny part. And if you can’t manage that then ... leave it entirely on the strong shoulders of Christ. And from this moment on, repeat with me: ‘My Lord and my God: into your hands I abandon the past and the present and the future, what is small and what is great, what amounts to a little and what amounts to a lot, things temporal and things eternal.’ Then, don’t worry any more.[534]”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“That ominous turn of events will perhaps serve as the necessary shadow in a beautiful work of art. After all, is not God’s wisdom infinitely greater than our own? If we ask him for bread, will He give us a stone? Is not God our Father? Abba, Father ... True prayer is possible only when there is trust and confidence. Lord, if it pleases you, grant me ...”
― Francisco Fernández-Carvajal, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“Pope John Paul I spoke of the greatness of matrimony to a group of newlyweds. He told them the following story: Last century there was in France a great professor, Frederick Ozanam. He taught at the Sorbonne, and was so eloquent, so capable! His friend Lacordaire said: ‘He is so gifted, he is so good, he will become a priest; he will become a great bishop, this fellow!’ But no! He met a nice girl and they got married. Lacordaire was disappointed and said: ‘Poor Ozanam! He too has fallen into the trap!’ But two years later, Lacordaire came to Rome and was received by Pius IX. ‘Come, come, Father,’ the Pope said, ‘I have always heard that Jesus established seven sacraments. Now you come along and change everything. You tell me that He established six sacraments, and a trap! No, Father, marriage is not a trap – it is a great sacrament!’[425”
― Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“Time is a gift from God. He invites us to prove our love for him in a free and determined fashion. We should therefore be miserly in our use of time. We should use it well by working with love and intensity. A Christian should never give in to sloth or boredom. It is fine for us to rest whenever necessary (cf Mark 6:31), but we should always have our eyes fixed on our final resting place in Heaven.[245]”
― Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“Omnia possum in eo qui me confortat’, I can do all things in him who strengthens me.[646] ‘Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea, quem timebo?’ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?[647]”
― Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28

“The very witness of a Christian life, and good works done in a supernatural spirit, are effective in drawing men to the faith and to God.[168]”
― Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God – Volume 5 Part 1: Ordinary Time Weeks 24- 28