February 7th
Book Three, Chapter 1
Of the Internal Discourse of Christ to a Faithful Soul
Happy ears indeed which hearken not to the voice that sounds without, but to the truth itself teaching within. Happy eyes which are shut to outward things, but intent on things internal. Happy they who penetrate into internal things, and endeavor to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly secrets. Happy they who rejoice to be wholly intent on God, and who shake off every worldly impediment. Consider these things, O my soul, and close up the doors of your sensual desires; that you may hear what the Lord your God speaks within you....Let go all transitory things: seek the eternal....so you may lay hold on true happiness.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
February 6th
Book Two, Chapter 12
Of the Royal Road of the Holy Cross
In the cross is height of virtue; in the cross is perfection of sanctity. There is no health of soul, nor hope of eternal life, but in the cross....Dispose and order all things according as you will, and as seems best to you, and you will still find something to suffer, either willingly or unwillingly; and so you will always find the cross....The cross, therefore, is always ready, and everywhere awaits you....If you fling away one cross, without doubt you will find another, and perhaps a heavier....Know for certain that you must lead a dying life; and the more a man dies to himself, the more does he begin to live unto God. No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.
Book Two, Chapter 12
Of the Royal Road of the Holy Cross
In the cross is height of virtue; in the cross is perfection of sanctity. There is no health of soul, nor hope of eternal life, but in the cross....Dispose and order all things according as you will, and as seems best to you, and you will still find something to suffer, either willingly or unwillingly; and so you will always find the cross....The cross, therefore, is always ready, and everywhere awaits you....If you fling away one cross, without doubt you will find another, and perhaps a heavier....Know for certain that you must lead a dying life; and the more a man dies to himself, the more does he begin to live unto God. No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.
February 5th
Book Two, Chapter 11
Of the Small Number of the Lovers of the Cross of Jesus
Where shall we find a man that is willing to serve God disinterestedly? Seldom do we find any one so spiritual as to be stripped of all things. For who shall be able to find the man that is truly poor in spirit, and divested of attachment to all created things?...That having left all things else, he leave also himself, and wholly go out of himself, and retain nothing of self-love....there is no one richer than such a man, none more powerful, none more free, who knows how to leave himself and all things, and to put himself in the very lowest place.
Book Two, Chapter 11
Of the Small Number of the Lovers of the Cross of Jesus
Where shall we find a man that is willing to serve God disinterestedly? Seldom do we find any one so spiritual as to be stripped of all things. For who shall be able to find the man that is truly poor in spirit, and divested of attachment to all created things?...That having left all things else, he leave also himself, and wholly go out of himself, and retain nothing of self-love....there is no one richer than such a man, none more powerful, none more free, who knows how to leave himself and all things, and to put himself in the very lowest place.
Monday, February 4, 2013
February 4th
Book Two, Chapter 10
Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
God does well in giving the grace of consolation, but man does ill in not returning it all to God with thanksgiving. And this is the reason why the gifts of grace cannot flow in us, because we are ungrateful to the Giver, nor do we return all to the fountain-head. For grace will be always given to him that duly returns thanks; and what is wont to be given to the humble, will be taken away from the proud....If you consider the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem little or too mean for you. For that is not little which is given by the most high God. Yes, though He give punishment and stripes, it ought to be acceptable; for whatever He suffers to befall us, He always does it for our salvation.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
February 3rd
Book Two, Chapter 9
Of the Want of All Consolation
It is not hard to despise all human consolation when we have divine. But it is much, and very much, to be able to forego all comfort, both human and divine, and to be willing to bear this interior banishment for God's honor, and to seek oneself in nothing, nor to think of one's own merit....We love to have something to comfort us, and it is with difficulty that a man can put off himself.
Book Two, Chapter 9
Of the Want of All Consolation
It is not hard to despise all human consolation when we have divine. But it is much, and very much, to be able to forego all comfort, both human and divine, and to be willing to bear this interior banishment for God's honor, and to seek oneself in nothing, nor to think of one's own merit....We love to have something to comfort us, and it is with difficulty that a man can put off himself.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
February 1st
Book Two, Chapter 7
Of the Love of Jesus Above All Things
The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant; the love of Jesus is faithful and enduring....In life and in death keep yourself near to Jesus, and entrust yourself to His fidelity, who alone can help you when all others fail....If in all things you seek Jesus, truly you will find Jesus; but if you seek yourself, you will find yourself also, but to your own ruin.
Book Two, Chapter 7
Of the Love of Jesus Above All Things
The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant; the love of Jesus is faithful and enduring....In life and in death keep yourself near to Jesus, and entrust yourself to His fidelity, who alone can help you when all others fail....If in all things you seek Jesus, truly you will find Jesus; but if you seek yourself, you will find yourself also, but to your own ruin.
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