John Of The Cross

A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.

In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.

Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to his good pleasure and rest in him.

To reach satisfaction in all_x000D_ _x000D_ desire its possession in nothing,_x000D_ _x000D_ To come to the knowledge of all_x000D_ _x000D_ desire the knowledge of nothing._x000D_ _x000D_ To come to possess all_x000D_ _x000D_ desire the possession of nothing._x000D_ _x000D_ To arrive at being all_x000D_ _x000D_ desire to be nothing.

Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out.

In the inner stillness where meditation leads, the Spirit secretly anoints the soul and heals our deepest wounds.

Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.

Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire.

The soul that walks in love neither tires others nor grows tired.

The divine awakening produces in the soul of the perfect a flame of love which is a participate of that living flame which is the Holy Spirit Himself...this is the operation of the Holy Spirit in the soul that is transformed in love.

Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.

God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.

Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.

Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love.

Now that I no longer desire all, I have it all without desire.

To love is to be transformed into what we love. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God.

Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.

Lord, I shall see you no more with the eyes of the flesh.

Strive always to confess your sins with a deep knowledge of your own wretchedness and with clarity and purity.

The purest suffering bears and carries in its train the purest understanding.