Quotes on Desiring Personal Salvation

[MidnightSun12]

So yesterday while I was attending mass our priest did a homily on the following Gospel reading:

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
 knelt down before him, and asked him,
 "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
 Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
 No one is good but God alone.
 You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
 you shall not commit adultery;
 you shall not steal;
 you shall not bear false witness;
 you shall not defraud;
 honor your father and your mother."
 He replied and said to him,
 "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
 "You are lacking in one thing.
 Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
 and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
 At that statement his face fell,
 and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

What concerned me about his homily was one of the reasons that our priest gave for our Blessed Lord's criticism of the rich man.  Our priest said that the rich man struggled with selfishness.  While I completely agree that the rich man was most certainly selfish in his attachment to his possessions our priest went on to say that the rich man was also selfish by keeping the commandments entirely out of a desire to get himself into heaven.  Our priest said that this was partly why Christ criticized the rich man and that we, as followers of Christ, should not be motivated to keep God's word out of a desire to get ourselves into heaven but rather from a desire to help others.

Based on my knowledge, this advice does not seem consistent with the teachings of the Church or the writings of the Saints.  I was under the impression that a fear of hell (ie. imperfect contrition) was an absolutely valid reason to motivate one's self to avoid sin and to practice virtue (and even a common one amoung the Saints).

If my understanding is correct, I was hoping that somebody might be able to share some quotes from the Saints to demonstrate this concept more forcibly: that is, being afraid of hell and desiring heaven are, indeed, valid primary reasons for motivating oneself towards holiness.  If not, please feel free to post quotes to the contrary!

Thank you and God bless!  

[Shin]

For what little it's worth, if I am understanding you properly, and you are understanding what is said properly and relating it, forgive me. . .

I am trying to make the connection between 'desiring to go to Heaven' and 'selfishness' and I am not seeing the link.

Well, for what little it's worth, I can see the possible link to the errors of these times -- that would be a link to Communism and its social-justice focus to the detriment of all that is Heavenly, and God focused. I.e., forget the first commandment, and have a distorted sort of second commandment -- love thy neighbor, but not for the sake of God.

For what other purpose did Christ come to this earth, and die upon the Cross, then our salvation? The Holy Mass? For what purpose does the priesthood exist?

And how can we take care of our neighbor's salvation (if that is what is meant by helping others, rather than in simply natural ways which I fear is more probable of such statements in general), if we do not attend first to our own? Would this not be the blind leading the blind?

I have been reading about this portion of the Gospel more than once lately.

Our Lord says, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." This is very key.

I always think when I hear this particular portion of a quote explaining the beatitudes and also another from St. John Chrysostom. They are not directly on point perhaps but I think they are thought provoking.

Let me see, where are they.. and perhaps some others more direct. . .

[Shin]

Ah, here first, are the first two that I always think of.

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

By "the poor in spirit" is meant those who are poor in earthly desires, and desire nothing but God. These are poor in desires, but not without affection, because they live contented even in this life; and, therefore, the Lord does not say, "Theirs will be the kingdom of heaven," but "theirs is," because even in this life they are rich in spiritual blessings which they receive from God; and thus, however poor they are in temporal goods, they live content with their condition.

They are different from the rich in earthly desires, who, in the present life, whatever riches they possess, are always poor, and live discontented; for the good things of this life do not satisfy our thirst, however much they are increased; wherefore, these persons are never contented, never attaining to the acquisition of what they desire.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'It is true that highwaymen, grave-robbers, and sorcerers have their sides torn to pieces; it is also true that the martyrs undergo this same suffering. What is done is the same, but the purpose and reason why it is done is different. And so it is that there is a great difference between the criminals and martyrs.

In these cases we not only consider the torture but we first look for the intention and the reasons why the torture is inflicted. And this is why we love the martyrs - not because they are tortured but because they are tortured for the sake of Christ. But we turn our backs on the robbers - not because they are being punished but because they are being punished for their wickedness.

So, too, in the matter of fasting, you must pass a judgment. If you see people fasting for the sake of God, approve what they do; if you see that they do this against God's will, turn your back on them and hate them more than you do those who drink, revel, and carouse. And in the case of this fasting we must inquire not only into the reason for fasting but we must consider also the place and the time.'

St. John Chrysostom

'How much did the saints do to secure their eternal salvation! How many nobles and kings have forsaken their kingdoms and estates, and shut themselves up in cloisters! How many young persons have forsaken their country and friends, and have dwelt in caves and deserts! And how many martyrs have laid down their lives under the most cruel tortures! And why? to save their souls. And what have we done?'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'Others say, "If I neglect mental prayer, I do not mis-spend my time; I employ it in study." But the Apostle said to Timothy: "Take heed to thyself and to doctrine;" Attend first to thyself, that is, to prayer, and then to doctrine, that is, to study, in order to procure the salvation of others.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'Our most important affair is that of our eternal salvation; upon it depends our happiness or misery for ever. This affair will come to an end in eternity, and will decide whether we shall be saved or lost for ever; whether we shall have acquired an eternity of delights, or an eternity of torments; whether we shall live for ever happy, or for ever miserable. O God, what will my lot be? Shall I be saved, or shall I be lost? I may be either. And if I may be lost, why do I not embrace such a life, as may secure for me life eternal? O Jesus, thou didst die to save me; yet have I been lost, as often as I have lost thee my sovereign good: suffer me not to lose thee any more.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'Brethren, says St. Paul, let the great business of your eternal salvation be the sole object of all your care.

It is the most important affair, because if the soul be lost, all is lost.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

'Now changes have been made by those who should least of all have allowed anything of the kind. Pardon me, therefore, for I have not changed my mind, if I have shifted any side, or rather I should say, I shall still be on the same side, but there are others who are continually changing it, and are now openly deserting to the foe. You yourself know what a value I put on their communion, so long as they were of the sound party. If now I refuse to follow these, and shun all who think with them, I ought fairly to be forgiven. I put truth and my own salvation before everything.'

St. Basil the Great

'The doctrines of salvation are no longer taught. We have no more solemn assemblies, no more evening hymns, no more of that blessed joy of souls which arises in the souls of all that believe in the Lord at communions, and the imparting of spiritual boons. We may well say, "Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or reader, or offering, or incense, or place to sacrifice before you, and to find mercy."'

St. Basil the Great

[Shin]

There are a few. And from St. Paul too.

'There is nothing colder than a Christian who is not concerned about the salvation of others . . . Do not say, I cannot help others: for, if you are truly a Christian it is impossible not to. Natural objects have properties that cannot be denied; the same is true of what I have just said, because it is the nature of a Christian to act in that way. Do not offend God by deception. If you said that the sun cannot shine, you would be committing an offense against God and making a liar of Him. It is easier for the sinner to shine or give warmth than for a Christian to cease to give light: it is easier for that to happen than for light to become darkness. Do not say that that is impossible: what is impossible is the contrary . . . If we behave in the correct way, everything else will follow as a natural consequence. The light of Christians cannot be hidden, a lamp shining so brightly cannot be hidden.'

St. John Chrysostom

[MidnightSun12]

Thanks for the quotes, Shin!  

At the end of the day, heaven is just the state of being united with God.  It doesn't seem at all selfish to want to be close to the One that you love and to fear being separated (in fact, wouldn't that be the opposite of selfishness?)

[Joan123]

Dear All,

I am Joan123 and new to this forum.  It was a happy "chance" that I found it tonight.

I appreciate the Saint's quotes about seeking salvation.  And I have also read in a prayer
book that we are to love God without
desiring a reward, but if we love God, certainly we desire to attain to the reward of Heaven,
and fear hell, and we desire to bring as many souls to Heaven as possible, through our prayers,
our works and our words.

St. Gertrude has many quotes about beseeching the Sacred Heart of Jesus to repair for our sins,
and having confidence that He desires to do so, as He told her in locution.  Tomorrow I will share
these quotes and I beg your forgiveness that I am not sharing them in this post tonight.  It is getting
late and I must sign off.  I am presently dealing with an aggressive form of breast cancer, so it is
very important to me to seek Heaven in all humility and sincerity and I am grateful that I found
this forum.

All my love in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Joan123

[Shin]

Thank you Joan. It's good to hear of your reading St. Gertrude the Great and I hope to hear more of what you have read! 

You have my prayers for your health and soul.

May St. Peregrine help you on your journey with this cross, and to a cure. May the Sacred Heart console you in this time of trial.
 
 

[Patricia]

Welcome to the forum Joan! We will add you to our prayer request list and remember you during our Rosaries and other prayer petitions.  May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart of Jesus be your strength and refuge!