Every day He humbles himself . . . every day he comes to us and lets us see him in his lowliness, when he descends from the . . . Father . . . at the altar.
—Saint Francis of Assisi
 
The Eucharist is the work of a measureless love that has at its service an infinite power, the omnipotence of God.
–Saint Peter Julian Eymard

I didn’t need to understand the hypostatic unity of the Trinity; I just needed to turn my life over to whoever came up with redwood trees.
—Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
 
Communion with . . . God is at once also communion with those others who have entrusted themselves in faith to the same God.
–Miroslav Volf, After Our Likeness

The Blessed Trinity inhabits the soul by . . . delighting its will in the Holy Spirit.
—Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), The Living Flame of Love

Come, Holy Spirit. Spirit of truth, you are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering.
–Saint Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

“Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God . . . . That is our home; here we are on a pilgrimage.”
—Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“In the Christian story God descends to re-ascend.”
—C. S .Lewis (1898-1963)

Martyrdom has always been a proof of the intensity, never of the correctness of a belief.
—Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian playwright (1862-1931)
 
I gave as an offering my all to him who had won me and saved me, my property, my fame, my health, my very words. . . . In considering all these things, I preferred Christ.
–Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-390)

Between saying and doing many a pair of shoes is worn out.
—Italian proverb
 
The celestial city. . . . is inspired and taught by the true God.
–Saint Augustine of Hippo, City of God

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.
—T. S. Eliot

The idea of redemption is always good news, even if it means sacrifice or some difficult times.
–Singer Patti Smith (b. 1946)

If I did not believe . . . that the works of mercy do lighten the sum total of suffering in the world, the problem of evil would indeed be overwhelming.
—Dorothy Day, On Pilgrimage

Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.
–William James (1842-1910)

At Rome Nero was the first who stained with blood the rising faith. Then is Peter girt by another, when made fast to the cross.
—Tertullian, Scorpiace (203-204 A.D.)

I shall obey God rather than you.
–Socrates, in Plato’s Apology

Above all, attention shall be paid to the care of the sick, so that they shall be served as if they were Christ himself.
—Saint Benedict (c. 480-c. 547)
 
Jesus’s Resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.
–N. T. Wright