CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT LIFE AND LOVE FROM SAINTS AND SINNERS II

Here is my second iteration of quotes from people who had thoughts about Jesus.  I wrote these for both of us as we stand watch before the Blessed Sacrament.

IRENAEUS OF LYONS

“Jesus Christ, in His infinite love, has become what we are, in order that He may make us entirely what He is.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“Through a tree we were made debtors to God; so through a tree we have our debt canceled.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbours, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the love of the Lord.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“The business of the Christian is nothing else but to be ever preparing for death.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

“He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man … might become the son of God.” ~ Irenaeus of Lyons

POPE GREGORY I

“The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.” ~ Pope Gregory I

“Have confidence in the compassion of our Creator. Reflect well on what you are now doing, and keep before you the things you have done. Lift up your eyes to the overflowing compassion of heaven, and while He waits for you, draw near in tears to our merciful Judge. Having before your mind that He is a Just Judge, do not take your sins lightly; and having also in mind that He is compassionate, do not despair. The God-Man gives man confidence before God.” ~ Pope Gregory I

“The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind’s eye. In it we see our inner face. From the Scriptures we can learn our spiritual deformities and beauties. And there too we discover the progress we are making and how far we are from perfection.” ~ Pope Gregory I

“You don’t climb a mountain in leaps and bounds, but by taking it slowly.” ~ Pope Gregory  I

“The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels.” ~ Pope Gregory I

“To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail.” ~ Pope Gregory I

“You cannot acquire the gift of peace if by your anger you destroy the peace of the Lord.” ~ Pope Gregory I

FRANCIS OF ASSISI

“God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Do all you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words!” ~ Francis of Assisi

“All the darknes”God could not have chosen anyone less qualified, or more of a sinner, than myself. And so, for this wonderful work He intends to perform through us, He selected me for God always chooses the weak and the absurd, and those who count for nothing.” ~ Francis of Assisi

in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“What is it that stands higher than words? Action. What is it that stands higher than action? Silence.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“God could not have chosen anyone less qualified, or more of a sinner, than myself. And so, for this wonderful work He intends to perform through us, He selected me- for God always chooses the weak and the absurd, and those who count for nothing.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance.
Where there is Patience and Humility, there is neither Anger nor Annoyance.
Where there is Poverty and Joy, there is neither Cupidity nor Avarice.
Where there is Peace and Contemplation, there is neither Care nor Restlessness.
Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter.
Where there is Mercy and Prudence, there is neither Excess nor Harshness.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” ~ Francis of Assisi

POPE FRANCIS

“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.” ~ Pope Francis

“Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone.” ~ Pope Francis

“To change the world we must be good to those who cannot repay us.” ~ Pope Francis

“Don’t let anyone rob you of hope.” ~ Pope Francis

“Dear young people, please, don’t be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.” ~ Pope Francis

“Dear young people, please, don’t be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.” ~ Pope Francis

“How marvellous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others!” ~ Pope Francis

“We must walk united with our differences: there is no other way to become one. This is the way of Jesus.” ~ Pope Francis

“There is so much noise in the world! May we learn to be silent in our hearts and before God.” ~ Pope Francis

“Do not be afraid! Our Father is patient, he loves us, he gives us Jesus to guide us on the way which leads to the promised land. Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness. He is our peace.” ~ Pope Francis

“The search for God means having the courage to set out on a risky path, it means following our restless hearts.” ~ Pope Francis

“Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.” ~ Pope Francis

“Lord, teach us to step outside ourselves. Teach us to go out into the streets and manifest your love.” ~ Pope Francis

“Evangelization does not consist in proselytizing, for proselytizing is a caricature of evangelization, but rather evangelizing entails attracting by our witness those who are far off, it means humbly drawing near to those who feel distant from God in the Church, drawing near to those who feel judged and condemned outright by those who consider themselves to be perfect and pure.” ~ Pope Francis

“The great biblical tradition enjoins on all people the duty to hear the voice of the poor. It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities.” ~ Pope Francis

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES

“Have patience with all things – but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“Don’t sow your desires in someone else’s garden; just cultivate your own as best you can; don’t long to be other than what you are, but desire to be thoroughly what you are. Direct your thoughts to being very good at that and to bearing the crosses, little or great, that you will find there. Believe me, this is the most important and least understood point to the spiritual life. We all love according to what is our taste; few people like what is according to their duty or to God’s liking. What is the use of building castles in Spain when we have to live in France?” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“There are many who want me to tell them of secret ways of becoming perfect and I can only tell them that the sole secret is a hearty love of God, and the only way of attaining that love is by loving. You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving. Begin as a mere apprentice and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“Faith is like a bright ray of sun light. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

“Let us think only of spending the present day well. Then when tomorrow shall have come, it will be called today, and then we will think about it.” ~ Saint Francis de Sales

AGNES OF ROME

“Christ has made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom the Angels serve.” ~ Agnes of Rome

“I place my trust in You, O adorable Blood, our Redemption, our regeneration. Fall, drop by drop, into the hearts that have wandered from You and soften their hardness.” ~ Agnes of Rome

SAINT ANGELA MERICI

“Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand.” ~ Angela Merici

“You will accomplish more by kind words and a courteous manner than by anger or sharp rebuke, which should never be used except in necessity.” ~ Angela Merici

“Strive to be faithful to that which God has called you.” ~ Angela Merici

“Consider that the devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.” ~ Angela  Merici

“Keep to the ancient way and custom of the Church, established and confirmed by so many Saints under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And live a new life. Pray, and get others to pray, that God not abandon His Church, but reform it as He pleases, and as He sees best for us, and more to His honor and glory.” ~ Angela Merici

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

“You are rewarded not according to your work or your time but according to the measure of your love.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

“Preach the Truth as if you had a million voices. It is silence that kills the world.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

“A soul cannot live without loving. It must have something to love, for it was created to love.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

“Even if [the Pope an incarnate devil], we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom… He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

“We are of such value to God that He came to live among us… and to guide us home. He will go to any length to seek us, even to being lifted high upon the cross to draw us back to Himself. We can only respond by loving God for His love.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

“And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow. Do not let false delights of a deceptive world deceive you.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“Love God, serve God; everything is in that.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“Our body is not made of iron. Our strength is not that of stone. Live and hope in the Lord, and let your service be according to reason.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“Loving one another with the charity of Christ, let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds so that compelled by such an example, the sisters may also grow in the love of God and charity for one another.” ~ Clare of Assisi

“I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.” ~ Clare of Assisi

SAINT CECELIA

“Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” ~ Saint Cecilia

 

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

“Anyone with two tunics should share with him who has none.” ~ John the Baptist

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” ~ John the Baptist

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” ~ John the Baptist

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” ~ John the Baptist

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II

“Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“I plead with you–never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Prayer can truly change your life. For it turns your attention away from yourself and directs your mind and your heart toward the Lord. If we look only at ourselves, with our own limitations and sins, we quickly give way to sadness and discouragement. But if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, then our hearts are filled with hope, our minds are washed n the light of truth, and we come to know the fullness of the Gospel with all is promise and life.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“If you want peace, work for justice.
If you want justice, defend life.
If you want life, embrace truth.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“It’s better to cry than be angry, because anger hurts others while tears flow silently through the soul and cleans the heart.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Believers know that the presence of evil is always accompanied by the presence of good, by grace… Where evil grows, there the hope for good also grows… In the love that pours forth from the heart of Christ, we find hope for the future of the world. Christ has redeemed the world: “By his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Open your minds and hearts to the beauty of all that God has made and to His special, personal love for each one of you.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the heart to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“God is Love. We eventually have to ask ourselves the question; why was Love nailed to a cross?” ~ Pope John Paul II

“There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“A man shows himself a true disciple of Christ by carrying the cross in his turn every day in the activity that he is called to perform.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Darkness can only be scattered by light, hatred can only be conquered by love.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“We must understand that in order ‘to do’, we must first learn ‘to be’, that is to say, in the sweet company of Jesus in adoration.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“An important day in a young person’s life is the day on which he becomes convinced that Christ is the only Friend who will not disappoint him, on which he can always count.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it.” ~ Pope John Paul II

SAINT AUGUSTINE (continued)

“Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.” ~ Saint Augustine

“We do not sin when we adore Christ in the Eucharist; we do sin when we do not adore Christ in the Eucharist.” ~ Saint Augustine

“Let us leave a little room for reflection in our lives, room too for silence. Let us look within ourselves and see whether there is some delightful hidden place inside where we can be free of noise and argument. Let us hear the Word of God in stillness and perhaps we will then come to understand it.” ~ Saint Augustine

“Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.” ~ Saint Augustine

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in every man that only Christ can fill.” ~ Saint Augustine

“God is not greater if you reverence Him, but you are greater if you serve Him.” ~ Saint Augustine

“If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.” ~ Saint Augustine

“Salvation is God’s way of making us real people.” ~ Saint Augustine

“Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue.” ~ Saint Augustine

SAINT ANSELM

“For I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand. For I believe this: unless I believe, I will not understand.” ~ Anselm of Canterbury

“God is that, the greater than which cannot be conceived.” ~ Anselm of Canterbury

“A Prayer of Anselm My God, I pray that I may so know you and love you that I may rejoice in you. And if I may not do so fully in this life let me go steadily on to the day when I come to that fullness . . . Let me receive That which you promised through your truth, that my joy may be full.” ~ Anselm of Canterbury

“It is impossible to save one’s soul without devotion to Mary and without her protection.” ~ Anselm of Canterbury

“Disasters teach us humility.” ~ Anselm of Canterbury

SAINT BONAVENTURE

“Christ has something in common with all creatures. With the stone he shares existence, with the plants he shares life, with the animals he shares sensation, and with the angels he shares intelligence. Thus all things are transformed in Christ since in the fullness of his nature he embraces some part of every creature.” ~ Bonaventure

“Any old woman can love God better than a doctor of theology can.” ~ Bonaventure

“Chastity without charity is a lamp without oil.” ~ Bonaventure

“In beautiful things St. Francis saw Beauty itself, and through His vestiges imprinted on creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making from all things a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him who is utterly desirable.” ~ Bonaventure