A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

Love, by its nature, is a resemblance to God, insofar as this is humanly possible. In its activity it is inebriation of the soul. Its distinctive character is to be a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

Until we find love, our labor is in the land of tares, and in the midst of tares we both sow and reap, even if our seed is the seed of righteousness.

In order not to be in daily bondage to the passions and the devil, you must set yourself an object to aim at, have this object constantly in view, and endeavor to attain it, conquering all obstacles by the name of the Lord. What is this object? The Kingdom of God, the Divine palace of glory, prepared for believers from the creation of the world. But as this object can only be attained by certain means, it also is necessary to have such means at one's disposal. And what are these means? Faith, hope, and love, especially the last. Believe, hope, and love, especially love, disregarding all obstacles; love God above everything and your neighbor as yourself. If you have not sufficient strength to preserve in your heart these inestimable treasures, fall down more often at the feet of the God of Love. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you, for He Who has promised is true. Walking, sitting, lying down, conversing, or working, at every time, pray with your whole heart that faith and love may be given to you. You have not yet asked for them as you should ask - fervently and instantly - with the firm purpose of obtaining them. Say now, 'I will begin to do so henceforth.'

If you find that you have no love but desire to have it, do the works of love and the Lord will see your desire and effort and put love in your heart.

Love is joy; the price of love is sacrifice. Love is life; the price of love is death.

Do not measure yourself by the standard of weaker men, but strive rather to apply yourself to the commandment of love. In measuring yourself by the former you fall into the pit of presumption, in striving for the latter you advance to the heights of humility.

As memory of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not produce the light of knowledge in the soul.

Unless a man keeps the commandments of God, he cannot progress, even in a single virtue.

The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.

Scripture calls the virtues ways; and the best of all ways is charity.

Love and humility form a holy pair; what the first builds, the second binds, thus preventing the building from falling asunder.

It is not always possible to fulfill the usual rules; one must take circumstances into account and try to fulfill what they make possible, as far as one can. The demons themselves are not unmindful of this law. So, being in constant enmity with us, they prevent us from doing what is possible and urge us to do what is impossible.

Almsgiving heals the soul's incensive power; fasting withers sensual desire; prayer purifies the intellect and prepares it for contemplation of created beings. For the Lord has given us commandments which correspond to the powers of the soul.

Only with love is a weak person edified.

Make the body serve the commandments, keeping it so far as possible free from sickness and sensual pleasure.

Love does not reflect. Love is simple. Love never mistakes. Likewise believe and trust without refection, for faith and trust are also simple; or better: God, in Whom we believe and in Whom we trust, is an incomplex Being, as He is also simply love.

Let the love of your fellow man rise above the promptings of self love.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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