Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.
*Thomas Merton
It is not the hour to seek one's self for one's self, nor to flee pains in order to possess consolations; nay, it is the hour to lose one's self.
*St. Catherine of Siena
Sweet are the memories of the many times of working to exhaustion, inspired by the Will of Grace. Recollections of moments, for example, sitting in sanctuaries over many years, after all had left to go their separate ways. Having served, having given my best, sitting alone in Silence, content, thankful, at peace. Such delectable fatigue, inspired by loving devotion for others and the Holy, is held gently within a quiet joy beyond words. How could I not pray to have more of such fatigue? How could I desire any other Work but the Work that brings such blessing both to others and, in blessing them, myself? For in Love, do we not taste a single Grace? Are we not held in the same arms?
*Arem Nahariim-Samadhi
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St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) was known for her great love for all persons. This Kindness led to her having many dear friends from all walks of life.
Once, St. Catherine's parents, themselves generous, discovered how many material goods their daughter was giving away. They began locking things up. Once, she was reminded, after giving away her cloak, that the only women going about without a cloak in Sienna were of immoral character. She replied, "I would rather go without my cloak than without my love."
St. Catherine often worked herself into exhaustion. She would lie down as though dead upon her bed; then, she would quickly get up to serve someone, as though she was not tired at all. Once, near exhaustion, she recalled a woman in need. She gathered food and took it in early morning darkness to the door of the woman. Her fatigue overtook her on her return home, and she had to limp and crawl until she reached home. She playfully chided the Sacred for playing a trick on her, making her an object of ridicule.
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Love attracts love, mine rushes forth unto Thee, it would fain fill up the abyss which attracts it; but alas! it is not even as one drop of dew lost in the Ocean. To love Thee as Thou lovest me I must borrow Thy very Love - then only, can I find rest.
*St. Theresa of Lisieux
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