Into this universal human situation Jesus comes, saying, “Repent,” which means “change the direction in which you are looking for happiness.” Human happiness is found in the growth of unconditional love. The work of spiritual direction is to help us to become aware of the obstacles to divine love and the free circulation of that love within us. This requires the cultivation of a non-possessive attitude toward ourselves and other people. Gradually we learn that God is the true security, God truly loves us, and with this love, we can make it, even if no one else seems to care.
~ Fr. Thomas Keating, OCSO, via Little Portion Hermitage
Tags:
change,
direction,
god,
growth,
happiness,
Jesus,
love,
Repent,
security,
spiritual direction,
Thomas Keating,
unconditional love
While he was in this affected state, something absolutely unheard-of occurred. The crucifix moved its lips and began to speak. “Francis,” it said, calling him by name, “go and repair my house, which, as you see, is completely destroyed.” Francis was stupefied and nearly deranged by this speech. He prepared to obey, surrendering himself completely to the project. But since he considered the change in him to be beyond description, it is best for us to be silent about what he himself could not describe. From then on compassion for the crucified one was imprinted in his holy soul and, one may devoutly suspect, the stigmata of the holy passion were deeply imprinted in his heart, though not yet in his flesh.
~Thomas of Celano, First and Second Lives of Saint Francis
Tags:
change,
compassion,
crucifix,
flesh,
heart,
holy passion,
house,
lips,
passion,
saint francis,
speech,
state,
stigmata,
Thomas of Celano
Subscribe to Franciscan Quote of the Day via RSS feed
Subscribe to Franciscan Quote of the Day by Email
