What grieves me most in my past offenses, O my loving God, is not so much the punishment I have deserved, as the displeasure I have given You, Who are worthy of infinite love.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a deep remorse for actions that have displeased God rather than a fear of punishment.
In this quote, Alphonsus Liguori expresses a profound sorrow for his past wrongdoings, emphasizing that the real burden lies not in the consequences he deserves but in the understanding that he has caused displeasure to God. This highlights the importance of love and reverence for God, suggesting that true remorse is rooted in the desire to maintain a loving relationship with the divine, rather than merely fearing punishment for one's actions.
In practice
This quote can be used during a religious service to inspire reflection on personal past actions.
My Lord Jesus Christ, who, for the love You bear to mankind, do remain night and day in this Sacrament, full of pity and love, awaiting, calling, and receiving all who come to visit You; I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the Altar; I adore You from the depths of my own nothingness; I thank You for the many graces You have given me, and especially for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament.
To be silent when we are impelled to utter words injurious to God or to our neighbour, is an act of virtue; but, to be silent in confessing our sins, is the ruin of the soul.
"The flowers have appeared in our land: the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land." When the soul, like the solitary turtle-dove, retires and recollects itself in meditation to converse with God, then the flowers, that is, good desires, appear; then comes the time of pruning, that is, the correction of faults that are discovered in mental prayer.
In temptations against chastity, the spiritual masters advise us, not so much to contend with the bad thought, as to turn the mind to some spiritual, or, at least, indifferent object. It is useful to combat other bad thoughts face to face, but not thoughts of impurity.
Certainly amongst all devotions, after that of receiving the sacraments, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament holds first place, is most pleasing to God, and most useful to ourselves. Do not then, O devout soul, refuse to begin this devotion; and forsaking the conversation of men, dwell each day, from this time forward, for at least half or quarter of an hour, in some church, in the presence of Jesus Christ under the sacramental species. Taste and see how sweet is the Lord.
It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence.
For me the present is merged in eternity. I may not sacrifice the latter for the present.
It is clear that there is some difference between ends: some ends are energeia [energy], while others are products which are additional to the energeia.
The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers.
The Land of Israel will be small, but the people of Israel will make it great. Not _x000D_ in opulence, but in eminence will their destiny be fulfilled, and the elixir of their_x000D_ pride will be distilled not out of dominion or far-flung borders, but out of the_x000D_ faithful and skillful building of the good society.
The many-voiced song of the river echoed softly. Siddhartha looked into the river and saw many pictures in the flowing water. The river's voice was sorrowful. It sang with yearning and sadness, flowing towards its goal ... Siddhartha was now listening intently...to this song of a thousand voices ... then the great song of a thousand voices consisted of one word: Om - Perfection ... From that hour Siddhartha ceased to fight against his destiny.
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