If you are afflicted with many tribulations, fear no evil, because His grace is with you. His grace is your strength, counsel and help. His grace is more powerful thall all your enemies and wiser than all the wise. His grace is the light for your heart, the consoler in anguish, the banisher of sorrow, the expeller of fear and your nourisher. Yes, His grace is sufficient for you.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Remain tranquil when trials come your way. All is not lost though you are troubled, may be even grievously. Remember, you are human; you are flesh. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state when you are only human? The Lord will rescue you when afflicted, even as you know your own weakness. He is always ready to help you and console you more and more, if you trust in Him patiently and call upon Him devoutly.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Put anxiety out of your heart as best as you can, and if it has troubled you, still do not let it cast you down or confuse you for long. Bear it patiently at least, if you cannot bear it cheerfully. Even though you bear it unwillingly, and are indignant at it, restrain yourself and let no ill-ordered words pass your lips. The storm that is now aroused will soon be quietened and your inward grief will be sweetened by His grace.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
All is not lost when things go contrary to your wishes. You ought not to judge according to present feelings, nor give in to any trouble whenever it comes, or take it as though all hope were lost. And do not consider yourself forsaken by God, if temporary hardships come your way. Do not fret or let your heart be downcast, for the Almighty can raise you up quickly again and turn all your sorrow into joy.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Be not disturbed and dispute not in your mind, answer not the doubts sent by the devil, but believe the Word of God, believe His saints and prophets and the evil enemy will flee from you. It is often very profitable for the servant of God to suffer afflictions. For satan does not trouble unbelievers whom he already holds securely, but in many ways he does trouble the faithful servant.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Of what use is anxiety about the future? Does it bring you anything but trouble upon trouble? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. It is foolish and useless to be either grieved or happy about future things which perhaps may never happen. But it is human to be deluded by such imaginations, and it is the sign of a weak soul to be led on by the suggestions of the enemy. For he does not care whether he overcomes you by the love of the present or fear of the future.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Tardiness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation, for before you pray earnestly, you first seek many comforts and take pleasure in worldly things. All things are of little profit until you realise that it is the Holy One who saves those who trust in Him and that outside of Him there is no worthwhile help, or any useful counsel or lasting remedy.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
He who receives greater things cannot glory in his own merit or consider himself above others or behave insolently towards those who receive less. He who attributes less to himself and is more humble and devout in returning thanks, is indeed greater, while the one who considers himself lower than all men and judges himself to be the least worthy, is the more fit to receive greater blessing.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
With God nothing that is suffered for His sake, no matter how small, can pass without a reward. Be prepared for the fight, if you wish to gain the victory. Without struggle you cannot obtain the crown of patience, and if you refuse to suffer in silence, you are refusing the crown. But if you desire to be crowned, fight bravely and bear up patiently. Without labour there is no rest and without fighting, no victory.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
The external enemy is more quickly overcome if the inner man is not laid waste. There is no worse enemy of the soul than you yourself, if you are not in harmony with the spirit. It is absolutely necessary that you conceive a true contempt for your worldly desires, if you wish to be victorious over flesh and blood.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
A peaceful man does more good than a learned man. Whereas an angry man turns even good to evil and is quick to believe evil; the peaceful man, being good, turns all things to good. If you keep peace with yourself, then you will be able to bring peace to others.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
How brief, how false, how unreasonable and shameful all these pleasures are! Yet in their drunken blindness men do not understand this, but like brute beasts incur the death of the soul for the miserly enjoyment of a corruptible life. They often receive the penalty of sorrow from the very pleasures they seek. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Habit already formed will resist you, but it shall be overcome by a better habit. The flesh will murmur against you, but it will be bridled by the fervour of the spirit. The old serpent will sting and trouble you, but prayer will put him to flight and by steadfast seeking and submitting to the Lord, the way will be closed to the evil one.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you wish to be truly delighted and more abundantly comforted by the Lord, behold, in the contempt of all worldly things and in the severing of all base pleasures shall your blessing be, and great consolation shall be given you. Further, the more you withdraw yourself from any solace of the creatures, sweeter and stronger will be the comfort you find in the Lord.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
It is sometimes good to use a little restraint even in good desires and inclinations, lest through too much eagerness, you bring upon yourself distraction of mind and keep away from your Creator; lest through your lack of prayer discipline, you create some scandal. Your flesh should be chastised and forced to remain in subjection until it is taught to be satisfied with little; to take pleasure in simple things, and not to murmur during adversities.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
A man's merits are not measured by many visions or by the knowledge of the Scriptures or by his being in a higher position than others, but by the truth of his humility, by his capacity for divine charity, by his constancy in seeking purely and entirely the honour of God, rather than his own honour, and by his positive disregard of self. Indeed, we are totally weak, if His grace, nobility and infinite goodness do not embrace us.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
There are many, indeed, who become impatient and lazy when things do not go well with them. The way of man, however, does not lie in his own power. It is God's prerogative to give grace and console whom He wishes, when He wishes, as much as He wishes, as it shall please Him and no more. His grace will favour you, His light will enshroud your heart and at once you will be made strong and filled with new joy, graciously upholding you, guarding you from many grave dangers and snatching you from evils without number.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Fight like a good soldier and if you sometimes fall through weakness, rise again with greater strength than before, trusting in God's most abundant grace. But beware of vain complacency and pride. For many are led into error through these faults and sometimes fall into almost perpetual blindness. Let the fall of such people, who proudly presume their abilities, be a warning to you and a constant incentive for humility.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
You must know that the old enemy tries by all means in his power to hinder your desire for good and to turn you away from every devotional practice. He may cause you weariness and thus draw you away from the Word of God and prayer. If you are wise enough to remain always humble and small in your own eyes, and to restrain and rule your flesh well, you would not fall so quickly into such a danger to offend God.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Consider your sins with great displeasure and sorrow, and never think yourself to be privileged because of your good works. You have nothing in which you can glory, because all the good you have are gifts. You are subject to many passions and entangled in them and you are much weaker than you can comprehend. Hence, let none of the things you do seem great to you. Let the eternal truth alone please you above all things.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Most people listen more willingly to the world than to God. They are more ready to follow the appetite of their flesh than the good pleasure of God. The world which promises small and passing things, is served with great eagerness. Know that the temporal things are snares. What help will all creatures be able to give you if you are separated from the Creator? Make yourself, therefore, pleasing and faithful to your Creator, so that you may attain true joy.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Blessed are the ears that hear the divine whisperings and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed indeed are the ears that listen, not to the voice from outside, but to the truth which sprouts within, without the sound of words. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to the externals and are fixed upon those which are internal. Blessed are they who long to give their time to God, and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you trust in the Lord, strength will be given to you from heaven and the world and the flesh will be made subject to your word. You will not even fear your enemy, the devil, if your are armed with faith, signed with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual progress consist not in many pleasures and comforts, but rather in enduring great trials for the sake of Christ our Saviour.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you carry your cross willingly, it will carry and lead you to the desired goal; but if you carry it unwillingly, you create a burden for yourself and increase the load, though still you have to bear it. So, it is better to bear your cross cheerfully. If you cast away one cross, you will soon find another and perhaps a heavier one. Do you expect to escape what no mortal man can ever avoid? Which of the saints was without a cross or trial on this earth? Not even our Lord Jesus Christ! How is it then that you should feel upset with a cross in your life or look for another way without a cross?
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Be grateful for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive greater ones. Consider the least gift as the greatest. If you look to the dignity of the Giver, no gift will ever appear too small or worthless. Even though He allows scourges, which is for our transformation, accept them, because He acts for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
The man who has been taught by the gift of grace, and who learns from the pain of its withdrawal, will never dare to attribute any good to himself, but will rather admit his poverty and emptiness. Give to God what is God's and ascribe to yourself what is yours. Give Him thanks, then, for His grace, but place upon yourself alone, the blame and the punishment your faults deserve.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
God does well in giving the grace of consolation, but man is evil in not being grateful to God. Thus the gifts of grace cannot flow in us when we are ungrateful to the Giver, when we do not return to the "Fountainhead". Grace is always given to the one who is duly grateful and what is given to the humble is what has been taken away from the proud.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
When consolation is given by God, receive it gratefully, and understand that it is His gift and not because of your merit. Do not exult, do not be overjoyed, do not be presumptuous, but be humbler for the gift; more careful and wary in all your actions; for this hour too can pass. And if consolation is taken away, do not at once despair but wait humbly and patiently for the abundant restoration of divine solace.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
It is a great art to know how to converse with Jesus, and great wisdom to know how to keep Him. Be humble and peaceful, and Jesus will be with you. Be devout and calm, and He will remain with you. You may quickly drive Him away and lose His grace, if you remain in your sins and stick to the outside world. And if you drive Him away and lose Him, to whom will you go in your need?
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
You will quickly be deceived if you look only to the outward appearance of men, and you will often be disappointed if you seek comfort and gain in them. Therefore, neither confide in nor depend upon a wind-shaken reed, for "all flesh is grass". If, however, you seek Jesus, you will surely find Him. The man who does not seek Jesus does himself much greater harm than the whole world and all his enemies could ever do.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
To the credit of a good person is the testimony of a good conscience. Therefore, keep your conscience good and you will always be joyful, for a good conscience can bear a great deal and can generate joy even in the midst of adversity. Sweet shall be your peace and joy, if your heart does not reproach you.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
We are well-versed in colouring our own actions with excuses, which we will not accept from others, though it would be more fair to accuse ourselves and excuse others. If we wish others to bear with us, then we must first learn to bear with others. Therefore, we ought to direct our corrections, first upon ourselves, then we may, with due justice, exercise it upon those around us.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Often we are not aware that we are blind. We do wrong, and then we do worse in excusing it. At times we are moved by anger and we think it is zeal. We take others to task for small errors and overlook greater ones in ourselves. We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others, but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgement on others.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Praise from others adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than what you are in God's sight. If you consider well what you are within, you will not care what men say about you. They look to appearances but God looks into the heart. They consider the deed but God weighs the motive.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Be not troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God is on your side and you are on God's side. Keep your conscience clear and live a Gospel life, and God will protect you, because the malice of man cannot harm the one who pleases God. If you know how to suffer in silence, you will undoubtedly experience God's help, for then it is His divine prerogative to help you and free you from all distress.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
He whose disposition is well ordered, cares nothing about the strange, perverse behaviour of others; for a man is upset and distracted only in proportion as he engrosses himself in the externals. A spiritual man quickly recollects himself because he has never wasted his attention upon the externals. He adjusts himself to things as they happen. Nothing so mars and defiles the heart of a man as "impure" attachment to created things.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Christ will come to you, offering His consolation, if you prepare a befitting dwelling for Him in you heart, free of all vices, and whose beauty and glory He delights in. His communion is sweet and full of consolation, His peace great and His intimacy wonderful indeed. Give place, then, to Christ, for when you have Christ, you are rich and He is sufficient for you. He will provide for you.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
When Christ was in the world, He was despised by men, even in the midst of His painful sufferings of crucifixion. He was forsaken by friends to the depths of scorn. He was silent and willing to suffer and to be despised; do you dare to complain of anything? He had enemies and defamers; do you want everyone to be your friend, your benefactor? How can your patience be rewarded if no adversity test it? Suffer with Christ and for Christ, if you wish to reign with Him.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Forsake the pleasures of this wretched world and your soul shall find peace. Learn to despise pleasures; to devote yourself to changing the vices that are within you and you will soon experience the kingdom of God, the kingdom which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, gifts which are not given to the impious.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
It is greater work to resist vices and passions than to sweat in physical toil. He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones. Watch over yourself, warn yourself, and regardless of what becomes of others, do not neglect to rid your own vices. Remember, if you have spent the day profitably, you will always be happy at eventide.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Without care and diligence you will never acquire virtue. When you begin to grow lukewarm in prayer life, you are falling into the beginning of evil; but if you give yourself to prayerful fervour, you will soon find peace and will experience less hardship in life because of God's grace flowing into you for your love of virtue.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
No liberty is true and no joy is genuine unless it is founded in the fear of the Lord and a good conscience. Happy is the one who can throw off the worldly pleasures and can recollect oneself in holy contrition. Happy is the one who casts out all that can stain or burden one's conscience.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Why do you not provide for yourself against the day of judgment? That's when no man can be excused or defended by another, because each will have enough to do, to answer for himself. What answer will you make to the Judge who knows all your deeds? Therefore, the present is very precious; now is the acceptable time; think of nothing but your salvation.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Sensual cravings sometimes entice you to wander around, but what do you bring back with you, except a disturbed conscience and a heavy heart? All carnal delights begin sweetly but in the end it brings remorse. Keep an eye primarily on yourself and your family, and admonish and check yourself first, instead of advising your friends. It is better and safer for you to have few pleasures and comforts in this life, especially those of the body.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
The farther you withdraw from the tumult of the world, the more intimate and personal will your relationship be with your Creator. For God will draw near to him who withdraws from the pleasures of the world. Leave vanity to the vain. Set yourself to the things which God has commanded you to do, for He has set you apart. From nothing else will you find great peace.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
No man deserves the consolation of heaven unless he persistently arouses himself to holy contrition. If you desire this, then seek the privacy of your room and shut out the uproar of the corrupt world, to bewail and meditate. There you will find, what too often you lose outside. In silence and quietness, the devout soul advances in virtue and learns the hidden truths of Scripture.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
No man is safe in speaking, unless he loves to be silent. No man rules safely, unless he is willing to be ruled. No man commands effectively, unless he has learned well how to obey. No man rejoices well, unless he has within him the testimony of a good conscience. Anyone who wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you withdraw yourself from unnecessary talking and idle running around, from digging into social media garbage, listening to gossip and rumours, you will find enough time that is suitable for prayers and holy meditation. Don't fiddle when you and your family are being engulfed in perilous fire. As often as you associate with unholy people, you can come back less holy. Anyone, then, who aims to live a spiritual Christian life, must withdraw from the corruption of the world.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If we were to uproot only one bad habit each year, we should soon get closer to perfection. Our fervour and spiritual progress ought to increase day by day; the contrary, however, is often the case - we feel that we were better and purer before, than we are after many years in the practice of our faith.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
When people do not give us credit for all our achievements and activities, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God who sees our hearts. Therefore, we ought to root ourselves so firmly in God that we will not need the appreciations or consolations of people.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
When a man of goodwill is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil, he realises clearly that his greatest need is God, without whom he can have no good. He then understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found in people or worldly things.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation. It is good to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged, even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
In temptations and trials, the spiritual progress of a person is measured; for in them we are humbled, purified and instructed. In them the opportunity for merit and virtue, is made more manifest. We should not despair, therefore, when we go through trials, but humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and pray more fervently, for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you do not overcome small, trifling things, how will you overcome the more difficult ones? Unlearn the evil habit at the earliest, lest perhaps it leads you to a more evil one. If you consider what peace and joy a scripturally good life will bring to yourself and others, then you will be more concerned about your spiritual progress.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
We must be doubly alert against the beginning of temptation, because the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused entry to the mind and is met outside the threshold when he knocks. Resist the beginnings - first a mere thought comes to the mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight and consent. Thus because he is not resisted in the beginning, satan gains full entry. And the longer we delay in resisting, so much weaker we become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and thither by the waves, so also a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. And we cannot conquer temptation by simply fleeing from them, but by patience and true humility, we become stronger than our enemy. The man who only shuns temptations outwardly and does not uproot them with the help of God, will make little or no progress.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
There is no situation so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. We are not safe from them as long as we live, because they come from within us - in sin we were born. When one temptation or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to battle because we have lost the state of original blessedness; but if we first submit ourselves to God and then resist the devil, he will flee.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
When we encounter some slight difficulty, we are too easily dejected or angry, and play the blame game and also turn to human consolations. If we tried, however, to stand as brave men in battle, the help of the Lord from heaven will surely sustain us. For He who gives us the opportunity of fighting for victory, is ready to help those who carry on and trust in His grace patiently.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you rely more upon your intelligence or hard work than upon the virtue of submission to Jesus Christ, you will hardly become enlightened or joyful or peaceful. God wants us to be completely subject to Him and, through ardent love, rise above human wisdom.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If a person does not mend his ways after being counselled, do not fret and fume, but commit the whole matter to God so that HIS will and honour may be furthered through that person, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, because you also have many a fault which others must endure. Do not fret and fume in anger for it does not produce the righteousness of God.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If all were perfect, what would we have to tolerate or suffer from others for God's sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another, for there is no one without a fault or burden; no one sufficient to himself or wise enough. Hence we must accept, support and console one another in love, because the problems of others offers the best chance to measure our own virtue.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If we cannot change our ways, how can we bend others to our will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we love others as we love ourselves.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Rarely do we completely conquer even one vice, because we are not inflamed with the desire to improve ourselves day by day; hence we remain cold and indifferent to divine contemplation. The greatest obstacle, indeed, the only obstacle, is that we are not free from passions and desires and we do not try to follow the perfect way of the Holy One.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when people of the same mind and spirit associate together in God. When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
We indulge in idle and indiscreet talk because we seek comfort from one another's conversation and we we talk quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But indeed we often talk vainly and to no purpose; such external pleasure effectively bars Divine and inner consolation and is a great distraction, because we will quickly be ensnared and captivated by vanity. Watch and pray, lest your time pass idly.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Everyone wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. Do not trust too much in your views, but be willing to listen to those of others. It is safer to listen to advice and take it, rather than to give it. Refusal to agree with others when reason and occasions demand it, is a sure sign of pride and obstinacy.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Do not open your heart to every person, but discuss your affairs with the one who is wise and who fears God. Do not adore or fawn upon the rich or the great. Associate with the humble and the simple, with the devout and virtuous. Seek only the intimacy of God and avoid the praises of people.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Do not glory in your wealth or powerful friends, but in God who gives all things. Do not boast of personal stature or of physical beauty, which can be marred or destroyed by a little sickness. Do not take pride in your talent or ability, lest you displease God to whom belongs all the natural gifts you have.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Do what lies in your power and God will come to your aid. Put no trust in your own learning nor in the cunning of any person, but rather in the grace of God who helps the humble, and humbles the proud. Vain is the person who puts his trust in men, in created things.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
True peace of mind is found in resisting passions, not in satisfying them. There is no peace in the carnal person, in the person given to vain attractions, but there is peace in the prayerfully fervent and spiritual person. A carnal person is quickly tempted and cannot abstain from earthly desires and is quickly angered if reproved.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
The more recollected a person is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of wisdom from above. The pure, simple and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labours and since he enjoys inner peace, he seeks no selfish end in anything.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Do not yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. Not to act rashly or not to cling obstinately to one's opinion; not to believe everything people say or not to spread the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom. Seek the advice of a wise and conscientious man in preference to following your own inclinations.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If there is good in you, see more good in others, so that you may remain humble. It does no harm to esteem yourself less than anyone else, but it is very harmful to think yourself better than even one. The humble live in continuous peace, while in the hearts of the proud are envy and anger.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
To think highly of others is wisdom. If you see someone sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain good. All are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realise at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence do not pretend to be wise, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realise at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence do not pretend to be wise, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is better than the ardent pursuit of lofty ideas. A clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If people used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues, as they do in discussing issues, there would not be so much evil, scandal, dysfunctional families or wayward children. On the day of judgement, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
If people used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues, as they do in discussing issues, there would not be so much evil, scandal, dysfunctional families or wayward children. On the day of judgement, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on the Judgement Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary, and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful, are great folly.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things, the knowledge of which, does little or no good to the soul or to the family, and he who makes himself busy about other things more than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vest
This is the greatest wisdom - to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. We are "in" the world but not "of" the world. We are a Kingdom people. Let us then live by the Kingdom culture. It is vanity to follow the greed in our hearts and to desire the things for which severe consequences must come later. For they who follow their own passions, stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.
Meditemur!
Luceat Lux Vestra!
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