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I know, too, that our bodies are not the chief factors in the work we have before us; they are accessory: extreme humility is the principal point. It is the want of this, I believe, that stops people's progress. It may seem that we have made but little way: we should believe that is the case, and that our sisters are advancing much more rapidly than we are.

In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying, of practicing virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I LOVE HIM; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem extinct, I would throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle.

How your life would be transformed if you were frequently with Jesus as with a friend! Do you perchance think that Jesus will not receive you as such? If you think such a thing, you would demonstrate that you do not know Him. He is all tenderness, all love for His sinful creatures.

Fortunately, while being Martha one can remain like Mary Magdalene always near the Master, contemplating Him with a wholly loving look.

With daring confidence, and reckless of self, I will remain there till death, my gaze fixed upon the Divine Sun. Nothing shall affright me, neither wind or rain; and should impenetrable clouds conceal from my eyes the Orb of Love, should it seem to me that beyond this life there is darkness only, this would be the hour of perfect joy, the hour in which to urge my confidence to its uttermost bounds, for knowing that beyond the dark clouds my Sun is still shining, I should never dare to change my place...O Divine Sun, I am happy to feel myself so small and frail in Thy presence, and my heart is at peace.

All the being of creation, then, compared with the infinite Being of God, is nothing. And therefore the soul that sets its affection upon the being of creation is likewise nothing in the eyes of God, and less than nothing; for, as we have said, love makes equality and similitude, and even sets the lover below the object of his love.

When Jesus made in me His dwelling place,

When God took possession of my heart,

So well that since that hour,

Since that mysterious colloquy,

That divine and delicious meeting,

I have aspired to nothing else but to give my life

In order to return a bit of His great love

To the Beloved of the Eucharist

Who reposed in my feeble heart,

Inundating it with all of his favors.

God is hidden within the soul, and the true contemplative will seek Him there in love.

Let us avoid all display; let us love our lowliness; let us be affected by nothing. Then we shall be poor in spirit and Jesus will come to seek us.

Then Our Lord said: “Ah, my daughter, they are few who love me in truth; for if men loved me, I should not hide my secrets from them. Do you know what is to love me in truth? It is to admit everything to be a lie which is not pleasing unto me.”

I do not propose, O my God, to have any other motive in any of my actions, whether they be exterior or interior, than love alone; I shall check myself in this constantly by recalling that I must strive to return love for love.

Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth! One without the other becomes a destructive lie.