Category: Book Notes

Book Notes 2

Sr. Dorcee, belovedLeave a comment

Today’s book quote comes from Romano Guardini’s The Living God.

“There is nothing brighter than the eyes of God, nor is there anything more comforting. They are unyielding, but they are the source of hope. 
      “To be seen by him does not mean to be exposed to a merciless gaze, but to be enfolded in the deepest care. Human seeing often destroys the mystery of the other. God seeing creates it.
      “We can do nothing better than to press on into the sight of God. The more deeply we understand what God is, the more fervently we shall want to be seen by him. We are seen by him whether we want to be or not. The difference is whether we try to elude his sight, or strive to enter it, understanding the meaning of his gaze, coming to terms with it, and desiring that his will be done.
     “We can do nothing more better then place ourselves and all that we have in God’s sight: ‘Behold me! Let us put away the fear that prevents us. Let us abandon this sloth, the pretense of Independence, and the pride. ‘Look at the good! Look at the shortcomings! The ugly, the unjust the evil, the wicked, everything–look at it, O God!’
     “Sometimes it is impossible to alter something or another. But let him see it at any rate. Sometimes one cannot honestly repent. But let him see that we cannot yet repent. None of the shortcomings and evil in our lives are fatal as long as they confront his gaze. The very act of placing ourselves in his sight is the beginning of renewal. Everything is possible so long as we begin with God. But everything is in danger once we refuse to place ourselves and our lives in his sight.”

Book notes 1

Sr. Dorcee, belovedLeave a comment

I love to collect quotes. In fact, I am known for it in our community. So I thought I would start a series sharing some of those with you. This first batch is from a book by Frederica Matthewes-Green called The Jesus Prayer which I read almost 15 years ago.

“So practice agape [long suffering, self-giving love] in every context (and it does take lots of practice). Every person you encounter gives you a God-appointed opportunity to die to self. The six or ten people you deal with every day are meant to furnish your own Roman Colosseum where you can battle against self-will to your last breath.” (p.51)

“Expect that you will have sorrow, and that you will suffer injustice; expect this, and it won’t shatter your faith. Believe firmly that all your joy is with Christ, and you will be able to bear it if other sources of joy prove temporary, or are never found at all.” (p. 52)

“Humility is of more value than the greatest asceticism. One day, as the desert monk Saint Macarius was returning to his cell, the devil attacked him swinging a scythe, but was unable to wound him. The devil complained, ‘Macarius, I suffer a lot of violence from you for I cannot overcome you. Whatever you do, I do also. If you fast, I eat nothing; if you keep watch, I never sleep. There is only one way in which you surpass me: your humility. That is why I cannot prevail against you.'” (p. 53)