Neither asceticism, nor vigils, nor any kind of suffering are able to save. Only true humility can do that. There was a hermit who was able to banish the demons. And he asked them: What makes you go away? Is it fasting? They replied: We do not eat or drink. Is it vigils? They said: We do not sleep. Then what power sends you away? They replied:  Nothing can overcome us except humility alone. Amma Theodora said: Do you see how humility is victorious over the demons?

-Amma Theodora, 5th century

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Consuming Fire! Spirit of Love! Descend within me and reproduce in me, as it were, another incarnation of the Word that I may be to Him another humanity wherein He may renew His mystery.

-Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

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And God said to the soul:
I desired you before the world began.
I desire you now
As you desire me.
And where the desires of two come together there love is perfected

Lord, you are my lover,
My longing,
My flowing stream,
My sun,
And I am your reflection.

It is my nature that makes me love you often, for I am love itself.
It is my longing that makes me love you intensely,for I yearn to be loved from the heart. It is my eternity that makes me love you long,
For I have no end.

-Mechthild of Magdeburg

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Exiled afar from heaven, I still, dear Lord, can sing, -
I, Thy betrothed, can sing the eternal hymn of love;
For, spite of exile comes to me, on dove-like wing,
Thy Holy Spirit’s fire of rapture from above.

Beauty supreme! my Love Thou art;
Thyself Thou givest all to me.
Oh, take my heart, my yearning heart, -
Make of my life one act of love to Thee!

Canst Thou my worthlessness efface?
In heart like mine canst make Thy home?
Yes, love wins love, -O wondrous grace!
I love Thee, love Thee! Jesu, come I

Love that enkindleth me,
Pierce and inflame me;
Come, for I cry to Thee!
Come and be mine!

Thy love it urgeth me;
Fain would I ever be
Sunken and lost in Thee,
Furnace divine!

All pain borne for Thee
Changes to joy for me,
When my love flies to Thee,
Winged like the dove.

Heavenly Completeness,
Infinite Sweetness,
My soul possesseth Thee
Here, as above.

Heavenly Completeness,
Infinite sweetness,
Naught else art Thou but Love!

-St. Therese of Lisieux

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There are many who live in the mountains and behave as if they were in the town, and they are wasting their time. It is possible to be a solitary in one’s mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of one’s own thoughts.

Just as it is impossible to be at the same moment both a plant and a seed, so it is impossible for us to be surrounded by worldly honor and at the same time to bear heavenly fruit.

All must endure great travail and conflict when they are first converted to the Lord, but later they have unspeakable joy. They are like people trying to light a fire, the smoke gets in their eyes, their eyes begin to water, but they succeed in what they want. It is written ‘our God is a consuming fire’ (Heb. 12:29), and so we must kindle divine fire with tears and trouble.

-Amma Syncletica, 5th century

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The passing life of the senses doesn’t lead to knowledge of what our Self is. When we clearly see what our Self is, then we shall truly know our Lord God in great joy.

 -Julian of Norwich

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In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy.  It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek...so we must also kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.

-Amma Syncletica

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If I prayed God that all people should approve of my conduct, I should find myself a penitent at the door of each one, but I shall rather pray that my heart may be pure toward all.

-Amma Sarah

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