Alphonsus Liguori

“ He does not leave unrewarded the smallest act we perform for his sake. Who more amiable? God is so amiable that, by barely seeing and loving him in heaven, the saints feel a joy which makes them perfectly happy and content for all eternity. The greatest of the torments of the damned arise from knowing that this God is so amiable, and that they cannot love him. ”

“ Who more powerful than God? He can do whatsoever he wills. By an act of his will he has created this world, and by another act he can destroy it when he pleases. Who more wealthy? He possesses all the riches of heaven and earth. Who more beautiful? Before the beauty of God all the beauties of creatures disappear. Who more bountiful? St. Augustine says, that God has a greater desire to do good to us than we have to receive it. Who more merciful? If the most impious sinner on earth humble himself before God, and repent of his sins, God instantly pardons and embraces him. ”

“ Hence, because from charity all virtues are born, St. Lawrence Justinian called it the mother of virtues. Hence, St. Augustine used to say: ” Love, and do what you wish." He that loves God can only do what is good; if he does evil, he shows that he has ceased to love God. And when he ceases to love him, all things can profit him nothing. If, said the Apostle, I give all my possessions to the poor, and my body to the flames, and have not charity, I am nothing. ”

“ O! inestimable value of divine love, which makes us rich before God! It is the treasure by which we gain his friendship. "he is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use become the friends of God." ”

“ We must also love him with a love of benevolence, desiring to see him loved by all: and therefore, if we love God, we should seek as much as possible to kindle in others the fire of his love, or, at least, should pray for the conversion of all who do not love him. We must love him with a love of sorrow, regretting every offence offered to him more than every evil which we could suffer. We must love him with a love of conformity to the divine will. ”

“ The only thing necessary is to love God. Whatever is not done for the love of God is lost. This is the greatest and the first commandment of the divine law. To the Pharisee who asked what is the greatest commandment of the law, Jesus Christ answered: ” Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart .... This is the greatest and first commandment." (Matt. xxii. 37, 38.) But this, which is the greatest of the commandments, is the most despised by men: there are few who fulfil it. The greater part of men love their relatives, their friends, and even brute animals, but do not love God. ”

“ Some boast of the nobility of their family for five hundred or a thousand years; but the nobility of God is eternal. He is the Lord of all. Before God all the angels in heaven or all the nobles on earth are but as a drop of water or a grain of dust. ”

“ Because, if they do not resolve sincerely to give themselves to God without reserve, they shall always continue in the same imperfections. But, on the other hand, the saint says, that God wishes only from us a true resolution to become saints; he himself will do the rest. If, then, we wish to love God with our whole heart, we must resolve to do without reserve what is most pleasing to him, and to begin at once to put our hands to the work. ”

“ Lawrence Justinian, by love the poor become rich, and without love the rich are poor. ” No greater riches than to have charity. In charity the poor man is rich, and without charity the rich man is poor. ”

“ How great is the joy which a person feels in thinking that he is loved by a man of exalted rank! But how much greater must be the consolation which a soul derives from the conviction that God loves her! ” I love them that love me." (Prov. viii. 17.) In a soul that loves God the Three Persons of the Adorable Trinity dwell. ” If any one love me he will keep my word; and my Father will love him ”

“ Bernard writes, that among all the virtues charity is the one that unites us to God. Charitas est virtus conjungens nos Deo." St. Catherine of Bologna used to say, that love is the golden chain that binds the soul to God. St. Augustine says, that ” love is a joint connecting the lover with the beloved." Hence, were God not immense, where should he be found? Find a soul that loves God, and there God is certainly found. Of this St. John assures us. “He that abideth in charity abideth in God, and God in him." (1 John iv. 16.) A poor man loves riches, but he does not therefore enjoy them ”

“ Hence, we ought frequently to offer ourselves to God without reserve, that he may do with us, and with all we have, whatever he pleases. We must love God with a love of patience. This is that strong love by which true lovers are known. ” Love is strong as death." (Cant. viii. 6.) "There is nothing too difficult," says St. Augustine, ” to be conquered by the fire of love." (Lib. De Mor. Eccl, c. xxii.) For, adds the saint, in doing what we love, labour is not felt, or, if it be felt, the very labour is loved. ”

“ Teresa used to say to her spiritual children: ” From deliberate sin, however small, may God deliver you." But some will say: Venial sin is a small evil. Is it a small evil to displease a God who is so good, and who loves us so tenderly? ”

“ According to the spiritual masters, he that does not advance in the way of the Lord goes back; but, on the other hand, God cheerfully gives himself to those who seek after him. ” The Lord is good to the soul that seeketh him. ”

“ One of her eyes signifies, that in all her thoughts and actions the only end of the spouse is to please God; while, in their devout exercises, worldlings propose to themselves different objects sometimes their own interest, sometimes to please their friends, and sometimes to please themselves. ”