Quote for the Day

[odhiambo]

"The mind of fools is in their mouths,
but the mouth of the wise is in their mind."
Sirach 21: 26

[Shin]

Too true!

[Shin]

'The devil tries to soil and defile every good thing a man would do by intermingling with it his own seeds in the form of self-esteem, presumption, complaint, and other things of this kind, so that what we do is not done for God alone, or with a glad heart. Abel offered a sacrifice to God of the fat and firstlings of his flock, while Cain offered gifts of the fruits of the earth, but not of the firstfruits; and that is why God looked with favor on Abel's sacrifices, but paid no attention to Cain's gifts (cf. Gen. 4:3-5). This shows us that it is possible to do something good in the wrong way - that is to say, to do it negligently, or scornfully, or else not for God's sake but for some other purpose; and for this reason it is unacceptable to God.'

St. Symeon Metaphrastis

Remember we have to do things for God's sake, with a pure intention! And we have to pray for it, and pray for the work! And be thankful!

[odhiambo]

Too true!

Sirach is a treasure of wisdom.
I wonder why it took me so long to discover it!

[odhiambo]

'The devil tries to soil and defile every good thing a man would do by intermingling with it his own seeds in the form of self-esteem, presumption, complaint, and other things of this kind, so that what we do is not done for God alone, or with a glad heart. Abel offered a sacrifice to God of the fat and firstlings of his flock, while Cain offered gifts of the fruits of the earth, but not of the firstfruits; and that is why God looked with favor on Abel's sacrifices, but paid no attention to Cain's gifts (cf. Gen. 4:3-5). This shows us that it is possible to do something good in the wrong way - that is to say, to do it negligently, or scornfully, or else not for God's sake but for some other purpose; and for this reason it is unacceptable to God.'

St. Symeon Metaphrastis

Remember we have to do things for God's sake, with a pure intention! And we have to pray for it, and pray for the work! And be thankful!

So that was why Cain's sacrifice was rejected. I often wondered why.
Everything we do should be done only and only for God's sake. No other reason is worthy.

[odhiambo]

“It is good that we sometimes suffer contradictions, and that men have an evil and imperfect opinion for us even when we do and mean what is good.
. For these things help us to be humble, and keep  us from vain-glory. For then we  better seek s God as a witness to our conscience when outwardly we are despised by men and we are not believed.”

The Imitation of Christ
Chapter XII
 Of the uses of adversity

[Shin]

From the bitter -- sweet!

'Nourish your soul with sacred readings;'

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

[odhiambo]

Of the love of solitude and silence

'Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring thee sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God."

The Imitation of Christ
Chapter XX

[Shin]

Some of the best advice!

[Shin]

'When the devil suggests discouraging thoughts, we must seek help in the remembrance of the blessings, without number, that we have received from God.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

[odhiambo]

"Blessed is he who keeps the moment of death ever before his eyes and prepares for it every day."

The Imitation of Christ
Book 1
Chapter 23

[Shin]

Amen.

Let's strive to do so!

[Shin]

'One day the Lord caused me to hear these words at the foot of the tabernacle: "My son, he who embraces Me embraces thorns." Oh, what a grace! Oh, what a gift!'

St. Paul of the Cross

[odhiambo]

 If we only knew the precious treasure hidden in infirmities, we would receive them with the same joy with which we receive the greatest benefits, and we would bear them without ever complaining or showing signs of weariness.
St. Vincent de Paul

[Shin]

'It is granted to few to recognize the true Church amid the darkness of so many schisms and heresies, and to fewer still so to love the truth which they have seen as to fly to its embrace.'

St. Robert Bellarmine

[odhiambo]

[mod edit on request -- uncertainly attributed quote removed]