ST JOSEPH'S ABBEY, SPENCER MA

For anybody who either seeks what is forbidden or desires to seem to be somebody or other in this world, is inwardly beset with a countless throng of thoughts. While they stir up a host of desires in their heart, their prostrate spirit is ignominiously trodden by the feet of a crowded marketplace. The mind which is disordered by a rebel riot of thoughts suffers, as it were from over-population. ST. GREGORY THE GREAT

Contemplation is nothing other than a loving, simple and permanent attention of the spirit to divine things, as you will easily appreciate by comparing meditation with it. We meditate to gather the love of God, but having gathered it we contemplate God and are attentive to his goodness on account of the sweetness which love makes us find in it. In sum, meditation is the mother of love, but contemplation her daughter: and this is why I called contemplation a loving attention. ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

The philosopher, scientist and artist within us combine to lead us throughout life on a journey of exploration, understanding and celebration of the whole of reality. Creation is a single and continuing expression of God's overwhelming goodness and love, even though there is much to bewilder and baffle, much left unexplained. All discovery and research are, however, an exploration into the mind of God. All knowledge is a sharing in it. But at the end of our journey and striving, when we come into the presence of the living God, every other experience, all other beauty, will seem but straw. Then we shall know as we are known, love as we are loved, and God will be all in all. BASIL HUME A Turning to God

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