Pondering Tidbits of Truth

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time.

M. Eugene Boylan, O.C.R.

“We have our own plans for our happiness, and too often we look upon God as someone who will help us to carry them out. The true state of affairs is invariably the reverse of this. God has his own perfect plans for our happiness, and is waiting for us to help him carry them out. And let it be clear that we can in no way improve on God's plans.”

(From This Tremendous Lover)

St. Alphonsus Liguori

"The devil does not bring sinners to hell with their eyes open; he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. Before we fall into sin, the enemy labors to blind us that we may not see the evil we do and the ruin we bring upon ourselves by offending God. After we commit sin, he seeks to make us dumb, that through shame, we may conceal our guilt in confession."

Dacrian

"Flatter yourself as much as you like, persuade yourself as you please, concoct as many excuses and pretexts as you find suitable: you are obliged to aspire after perfection with all your powers. Such is the case and not otherwise. If you have not known it up to now, you are no longer ignorant of it; I have informed you. You are bound and obliged; bound and obliged you remain. You say that you cannot arrive at such great perfection? What is the meaning of your mistrust? Do you not know that divine power can do more than human weakness can even conceive? I admit that by yourself you cannot indeed attain to it; but God can certainly bring you to it. Hope in God; place your confidence in Him; help yourself as much as you can on your part; and do not fear that, in acting thus, you will ever want for His grace and assistance."

(Quoted in A Treatise on the Spiritual Life by St. Vincent Ferrer)