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In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.

John of the Cross

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John of the Cross
Age: 49 †
Born: 1542
Born: June 24
Died: 1591
Died: December 14
Carmelite Friar
Catholic Priest
Poet
Saint
Writer
Saint John of the Cross
Juan de la Cruz
Confidence
Suffering
Instructed
Strengthened
Sympathy
Enlightened
Straight
Sorrow

More quotes by John of the Cross

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I have said this to explain the stanza that follows, in which the soul replies to those who call in question its holy tranquillity, who will have it wholly occupied with outward duties, that its light may shine before the world: these persons have no conception of the fibres and the unseen root whence the sap is drawn, and which nourish the fruit.
John of the Cross
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Beloved, all that is harsh and difficult I want for myself, and all that is gentle and sweet for thee.
John of the Cross
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For true devotion must issue from the heart, and consist in the truth and substances alone of what is represented by spiritual things all the rest is affection and attachment proceeding from imperfection and in order that one may pass to any kind of perfection it is necessary for such desires to be killed.
John of the Cross
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In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.
John of the Cross
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Yearning: It needs to hurt in order to be worthy of the word. Otherwise it is just wanting.
John of the Cross
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Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.
John of the Cross
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Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.
John of the Cross
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My sole occupation is love.
John of the Cross
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Live as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be detained by anything human.
John of the Cross
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He who loves is not ashamed before men of what he does for God, neither does he hide it through shame though the whole world should condemn it.
John of the Cross
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If it were given to a man to see virtue's reward in the next world, he would occupy his intellect, memory and will in nothing but good works, careless of danger or fatigue.
John of the Cross
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However high be your endeavors, unless you renounce and subjugate your own will - unless you forget yourself and all that pertains to yourself - not one step will you advance on the road to perfection.
John of the Cross
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God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.
John of the Cross
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Obedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications.
John of the Cross
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In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.
John of the Cross
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Let my soul live as if separated from my body.
John of the Cross
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There is nothing better or morenecessary than love.
John of the Cross
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Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire.
John of the Cross
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Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.
John of the Cross
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Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.
John of the Cross