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I am resolved to give complete obedience in everything without exception, not only to my superiors, but also to my equals and inferiors, so as to learn from you, my God, who made yourself obedient in far more difficult circumstances than those in which I find myself.

In the first place it should be known that if a person is seeking God, His Beloved is seeking him much more.

It is not a refreshing peaceful fire, but a consuming and searching one that makes the soul grieve at the sight of itself. The soul perceives its own smallness in comparison with the immensity of the flame.

I saw that He was a man, even though He was God; that He wasn't surprised by human weaknesses; that He understands our miserable make-up, subject to many falls on account of the first sin which He came to repair. I can speak with Him as with a friend, even though He is Lord.

Be very attentive to His voice, and remember that when He thus takes His place in a heart, it is to dwell there alone and apart. You understand what I mean...I am not referring to the religious life, which is the great break with the world, but to that detachment, that purity of intention which, as it were, throws a veil over all that is not God and enables us to cling to Him unceasingly by faith.

Let yourself be loved...without fearing that any obstacle will be a hindrance to it...This love can rebuild what you have undone.

Delight in the world's good things
at the very most
can only tire the appetite
and spoil the palate;
and so, not for all of sweetness
will I ever lose myself,
but for I-don't-know-what
which is so gladly found.

In spite of all her wisdom she (Mary) asked the angel: How can this be? But after he answered. The Holy Spirit will come upon you; the power of the Most High will overshadow you, she engaged in no further discussion. As one who had such great faith and wisdom, she understood at once that if these two intervened, there was nothing more to know or doubt.

What is the sacrifice? What is the Cross but heaven when Jesus Christ is on it? Give Him your will in such a way that you can no longer say "I want this," but I desire what He desires.

Some of these beginners, too, make little of their faults, and at other times become over-sad when they see themselves fall into them, thinking themselves to have been saints already; and thus they become angry and impatient with themselves, which is another imperfection.

For the sake of Jesus we took His cross, and for His sake let us persevere in it.

God created us in His image. What does the divine image in the human being mean? Briefly summarized, the answer may be found in the words of the Lord: 'You shall be perfect as your Father in Heaven.' I want to point out that the divine image is set forth as a challenge, as vocation or destiny for the human being.