Bonds of Love's Union

'Sacrifices 
made in secret,
trifles performed 
with none but God 
for witness -
these are 
the bonds 
of Love's union.'

(from Fervorinos From Galilee's Hills, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, 1936, p.287)








 









Painting: jules Breton, Harvester

Only One Trial

"There is only one thing 
to be feared...
only one trial, and that is sin...
All the rest is beside the point.
Whether you talk of plots, feuds, betrayals, slanders, abuses, accusations, confiscations of property... or universal war. 
Whatever they may be, 
they are fugitive 
and they will perish. 
They touch the mortal body, 
but wreak no harm 
on the watchful soul."

St. John Chrysostom








Painting: W. Paxton, in US public domain due to age

Troubled by Anxious Imaginings?

'Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.' (St. Francis de Sales)

'Even though I walk through a dark valley, I fear no evil, for You are at my side.' (Psalm 23:4)

'God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength, but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.' (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.'  (Psalm 32:8)

'Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; though war be waged against me, even then shall I trust.' (Psalm 27:3)

'Be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.' (Joshua 1:9)

'Cast all your worries on Him, because He cares for you.' (1 Peter 5:7)

'We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; full of doubts, we never despair.  We are persecuted but never abandoned; we are struck down but never destroyed.' (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

'God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.' (Romans 8:28)

'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?' (Psalm 27:1)

'You are my shelter; from distress you keep me.  With safety, You ring me around.' (Psalm 32:7)

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Thus we do not fear, though the earth be shaken and the mountains quake to the depths of the sea; though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The Lord of hosts is with us.  Our stronghold is the God of Jacob.' (Psalm 46:2-4)

'Though my flesh and heart fail, God is the rock of my heart; my portion forever.' (Psalm 73:26)

'The Lord is with me; I am not afraid. What can man do against me?' (Psalm 118:6)

'Our help is in the Name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.' (Psalm 124:8)

'God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.' (2 Peter 1:5)

'The light shines on in darkness; a darkness that did not overcome it.' (John 1:5)



Painting at top: Charles West Cope, The Night Alarm, The Advance

Painting of Jesus:Carl Heinrich Bloch, Consolator


 

For Distant Bells that Tumble on the Wind

'For songbird answering song on topmost bough;
for myriad lark that carol up the sky;
for that low fluttering on the summer night;
for distant bells that tumble on the wind;
for great ground organ notes that rise and fall,
entwined with earthly voices tuned to heaven,
and bear our hearts above the high-arched roof.
For Thy great voice that dominates the whole,
and shakes the heavens, and silences the earth...
We thank Thee, Lord!'

(from Fervorinos from the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, pp. 431-432)



Painting: Walter Moras

Why Shadows

'If God created shadows, it was to better emphasize the light.'

St. Pope John Paul II 

 Painting: Peter Graham, Wandering Shadows

To Love and Revive Them

'Dearest Jesus! How I long to love You and make You greatly loved! 

During Your life on this poor earth, You made, of a few loaves, 

life and nourishment for a crowd. 

Let me be, in Your divine hands, the instrument for another such work. 

Give me... to souls, to love and revive them.'

(from Fervorinos From Galilee's Hills, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1936, p. 237)

Painting: Roland Delaporte

If They Were To...

'Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them

if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him,

and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.'

St. Ignatius Loyola

Painting: Joseph Rodefer DeCamp, The Blue Mandarin Coat

This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Linkup Blitz

Try it and See

'Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.'

St. Pope John Paul II

Painting: Hans Thoma Einsamer Ritt (1889)

Beautiful the Glittering Wounds and Scars

'Lift up your eyes and see
where you belong:
the Fatherland
of the heavenly paradise...
All who are there
will be glad to see you.
They long fervently
for your joyful presence..
they want you
to engage devoutly
in the spiritual combat
of suffering,
and behave chivalrously
in all the same hardships
that they themselves
have overcome!
If you only knew
how they now,
with great sweetness,
remember the cruel years
through which they once passed.
Truly, all suffering
would only be easier for you,
knowing that the more
bitterly you have suffered,
the more honorably
you are received there.
How pleasant
that honor will be...
How exquisitely
beautiful will be
the glittering wounds and scars
that you received here below
for the sake of My love!'

Blessed Henry Suso

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by this cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead.  Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who inspires and perfects our faith.'  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Painting: Gustave Dore.Triumph of Christianity

Seal All Your Doings

'Seal all your doings,
my child,
with the sign
of the living cross.
Do not go out
the door of your house
till you have
signed the cross.
Whether in eating
or in drinking,
whether in sleeping
or in waking,
whether in your house
or on the road,
or again
in the season of leisure,
do not neglect this sign;
for there is
no guardian like it.
It shall be to you
as a wall,
in the forefront
of all your doings.' 

 St. Ephrem the Syrian








Painting: Helen Allingham,
in US public domain due to age

We Fly From Him

'Oh, how 
senseless we are! 
The good God 
calls us to Him 
and we fly from Him!
He wishes 
to make us happy,
and we will not 
have His happiness.'

St. John Vianney


 










This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network, 
where we can find a wide variety of inspiring blogs!





Painting: James Tissot

Faithful to the Present Moment

'We must 
be faithful to 
the present 
moment, or 
we will 
frustrate 
the plan 
of God for 
our lives.'

Solanus Casey
















Painting: Winslow Homer, The Reaper