The awareness of being part of the communion of saints makes our hearts as wide as the world. The love with which we love is not just our love; it is the love of Jesus and his saints living in us. When the Spirit of Jesus lives in our hearts, all who have lived their lives in that Spirit live there, too. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents; our teachers and their teachers; our pastors and their pastors; our spiritual guides and theirs—all the holy men and women who form that long line of love through history—are part of our hearts, where the Spirit of Jesus chooses to dwell. The communion of saints is not just a network of connections between people. It is first and foremost the community of our hearts.

– Henri Nouwen,  Bread for the Journey

Feast of the Presentation of Mary

My God, the soul you have placed within me is pure. You breathed of yourself into my flesh, creating and forming in me a deep awareness of your presence. It is you who constantly arouses the desire to live within me. Sometimes you take this hope from me, only to renew it again and again, that I may once more praise you, my God and God of my people. You are the origin of all that happens and every soul is a part of you. Praise are you Eternal One, constantly renewing life within me with your breath of love.

– A Jewish Prayer

Work when there is work to do. Rest when you are tired. One thing done in peace will most likely be better than ten things done in panic.

– Susan McHenry

If we are willing to stand fully in our own shoes and never give up on ourselves,

then we will be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others, and never give up on them.

– Pema Chodron, Spiritual Writer

Dig a hole in your garden of thoughts. Into it put all your disillusions, disappointments,regrets, worries, troubles, doubts and fears and–forget.

Cover well with the earth of fruitfulness, water it from the well of contentment. Sow on top again the seeds of hope,courage, strength, patience and love. Then, when the time of gathering comes, may your harvest be a rich and plentiful one.

• Anonymous

The light of God within you is always shining. Train yourself to rely on this great source of inspiration within you.It is always present to show you the way.

– May Rowland

Lord, purge our eyes to see within the seed a tree, within the glowing egg a bird, within the shroud a butterfly, till,taught by such we see beyond all creatures, thee ,and harken to thy tender word and hear “Fear not; it is I.”

– Christina Rossetti

Talking about our problems has become our greatest addiction. Break the habit – talk about your joys.

-Rita Schiano

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

-Matthew 11: 28-30

It is not speaking that breaks our silence, but the anxiety to be heard.  The words of the proud man impose silence on all others, so that he alone may be heard.

-Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude