ST JOSEPH'S ABBEY, SPENCER MA

We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there may be strong reasons for thinking so, but there can be no doubt about whether or not we love our neighbor. Be sure that in proportion as you advance in fraternal charity, you are increasing in your love of God, for he bears so tender and affection for us that I cannot doubt he will repay our love for others by increasing, in a thousand different ways, that love which we have for him. ST. TERESA OF JESUS Interior Castle

God certainly deserves a lot from us since he gave himself to us when we deserved it least. Besides, what could he have given us better than himself? Hence when seeking why God should be loved, if one asks what right he has to be loved, the answer is that the main reason for loving him is “He loved us first.” Surely he is worthy of being loved in return when one thinks of who loves, whom he loves, how much he loves. Is it not he whom every spirit acknowledges, saying: “You are my God, for you do not need my possessions.” This divine love is sincere, for it is the love of one who does not seek his own advantage. To whom is such love shown? It is written: “While we were still his enemies, he reconciled us to himself.” ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX On Loving God

The practice of silence has its risks because silence is not always a value. There is an unhealthy and negative silence, a silence of death. Non-communication can express mute rebellion, obstinate refusal, deep resentment. By not speaking, one can often avoid being challenged, avoid taking a stand, avoid the relationship that may become too involving, avoid the demands of love. Silence may be a sign of an under developed personality, and introspective, suspicious, moody, morose type of character. Or silence may indicate a vacuum of indifference and be the sign of a haughty, aloof disinterestedness. Such silence is a closure, a selfish shutting-the-world-off, withdrawal behind closed doors posted with a “Do Not Disturb” sign. CHARLES CUMMINGS, OCSO Monastic Practices

We are sometimes inclined to think that the same things are monotonously repeated over and over again in the history of creation. That is because the season is too long by comparison with the brevity of our individual lives, and the transformation too vast and too inward by comparison with our superficial and restricted outlook, for us to see the progress of what is tirelessly taking place in and through all matter and all spirit. Let us believe in revelation, once again our faithful support in our most human forebodings. Under the commonplace envelope of things and of all our purified and salvaged efforts, a new earth is being slowly engendered. PIERRE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN The Divine Milieu, Epilogue

Blessed are we, if in poverty of spirit we free ourselves from false confidence in material things, desiring above all else spiritual and religious goods, treating the poor with respect and love, as our brothers and as living images of Christ. Blessed are we, if in the meekness of the strong, we renounce the ruinous power of hate and vengeance, conquering only by goodness and peace. Blessed are we, if we refuse to direct our lives by self interest, nor take pleasure as our goal, but learn to find in temperance strength, in pain a source of redemption, in sacrifice the summit of greatness. Blessed are we, if for the kingdom of God—in our time and in eternity—we learn to struggle and to pardon, to serve and to act, to suffer and to love. POPE PAUL VI Homily in Nazareth, 5 January 1964

The love that God most high has for our soul is so great that it surpasses understanding. No created being can comprehend how much, and how sweetly, and how tenderly our maker loves us. Our in-born will is to have God, and the goodwill of God is to have us. There is no end to our willing and longing until we know God in the fullness of joy. Then our desire is filled. He wills that our occupation shall be striving to know and love him until we are made whole in heaven. Our life is grounded in faith, with hope and love besides. JULIAN OF NORWICH