Quote for today

Hiddenness, a Place of Purification

One of the reasons that hiddenness is such an important aspect of the spiritual life is that it keeps us focused on God. In hiddenness we do not receive human acclamation, admiration, support, or encouragement. In hiddenness we have to go to God with our sorrows and joys and trust that God will give us what we most need.

In our society we are inclined to avoid hiddenness. We want to be seen and acknowledged. We want to be useful to others and influence the course of events. But as we become visible and popular, we quickly grow dependent on people and their responses and easily lose touch with God, the true source of our being. Hiddenness is the place of purification. In hiddenness we find our true selves.

~ Henri J.M. Nouwen in Bread for the Journey

received through “Daily Meditation” from HenriNouwen.org

Quote for the week * Zitat der Woche

The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.

~Blaise Pascal

***

Das Herz hat seine eigenen Gründe, die der Verstand nicht begreift.

~Blaise Pascal

Quote for the week

“What can we do that makes us the gladdest, what can we do that leaves us with the strongest sense of sailing true north and of peace, which is much of what gladness is? Is it making things with our hands out of wood or stone or paint or canvas? Or is it making something we hope like truth out of words? Or is it making people laugh or weep in a way that cleanses their spirit? I believe that if it is a thing that makes us truly glad, then it is a good thing and it is our thing and it is the calling voice that we were made to answer with our lives . . . . . The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

- Frederick Buechner,

Quote found on WOTH Writer’s Blog

Quote for the week * Zitat der Woche

Fitting for today’s name saint, a quote from his name sake Nicholas of Cusa:

All my endeavors are directed towards you, because all your endeavors are directed at me. All my looking is focused on you and I will never turn my eyes from you, because you surround me with your imperturbable gaze. You are the center of my love, because you, who is the love in person, has turned so completely to me. And what, o Lord, is my life if not your loving embrace with which you hold me tight.

The Vision of God: Nicholas of Cusa

***

Passend zum heutigen Tagesheiligen, ein Zitat von seinem Namensvetter Nikolaus von Kues:

All meine Bemühungen gelten dir, weil all deine Bemühungen mir gelten. All meine Blicke sind auf dich gerichtet und niemals wende ich meine Augen ab von dir, weil du mich mit deinem unbeirrbaren Blick umfängst. Dir allein gilt meine ganze Liebe, weil du, der du doch die Liebe selbst bist, dich ganz und gar mir zugewandt hast. Und was, Herr, ist mein Leben, wenn nicht die liebevolle Umarmung, mit der du mich festhältst.

Vom Sehen Gottes. Ein Buch mystischer Betrachtung: Nikolaus von Kues

The Vision of God: Nicholas of Cusa,

Quote for the week

Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creatures.

What you are in his sight is what you are – nothing more.

St. Francis of Assisi

Quote for the week

It is possible for us to live in the very sense of the Lord’s presence, under even the most difficult circumstances. If you and I are going to enjoy the peace of paradise during this life we must become accustomed to a familiar, humble, and very affectionate conversation with the Lord Jesus.

Brother Lawrence