But not only is failure to love in itself an act of violence against those to whom we owe love, a kind of hatred, and akin to murder (echoing Christ’s words on this point)..... failure to love exacts a price from us as well. Love is of God, and to fail to love those we are given to love invites a divine punishment, a horror of lost consolation, an enforced self-emptying.
The Scrivener
truisms
We passed upon the stairs, we spoke of was and when
Although i wasn't there, he said i was his friend
Which came as some surprise i spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone, a long long time ago
Oh no, not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
I laughed and shook his hand, i made my way back home
I searched for form and land, for years and years i roamed
I gazed a gazley stare at all the millions here
We must have died alone, a long long time ago
David Bowie-Kurt Cobain
First, and Last, and Always
in CHRIST
Modern life is about rushing, doing, going, … all activity, and if you can find a way to cram more activity into the alloted hours, so much the better. After all, we’re the generation that invented a way that you can talk on the phone anywhere you are, work on the computer while watching the world news and supposedly listen to your spouse or your kids. (Not that they’d say much. They get tired of your inattention and start shutting down. Besides, they’ve got their own phone, their own computer, and so their own world.) Things like reading books, sitting by firesides — or praying unhurriedly, for that matter — are out of place.
This side of Glory
Conscience is thoroughly well-bred and soon leaves off talking to those who do not wish to hear it.
Samuel Butler
Do not disregard your conscience, which always counsels you of the best. It puts before you divine and angelic advice; it frees you from the hidden stains of your heart, and will make you the gift of free speech with God at the time of your departure.
St. Maximus the Confessor, The Four Centuries on Charity
There is nothing more burdensome and grievous then when conscience accuses us in anything, and there is nothing dearer then calmness and approval of the conscience.
St Maxim the Confessor
Last edited by Ekaterina on Fri 2 February 2007 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.