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On Prayer and The Contemplative Life QUOTES

On Prayer and The Contemplative Life QUOTES

1 " Many cry to the Lord that they may win riches, that they may avoid losses; they cry that their family may be established, they ask for temporal happiness, for worldly dignities; and, lastly, they cry for bodily health, which is the patrimony of the poor. For these and suchlike things many cry to the Lord; hardly one cries for the Lord Himself! How easy it is for a man to desire all manner of things from the Lord and yet not desire the Lord Himself! As though the gift could be sweeter than the Giver! "

― Thomas Aquinas , On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

2 " It has become the fashion to talk about Mysticism, even to pose as Mystics, and—need it be said?—those who talk the most on such subjects are those who know the least. "

― Thomas Aquinas , On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

3 " Religion, then, is not limited to our relation to God, but embraces, our neighbour as well. "

― Thomas Aquinas , On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

4 " the Apostle say: Pray without ceasing. [147] Yet can we genuflect without ceasing? Can we prostrate without ceasing? Can we lift up our hands without ceasing? How, then, does he say: Pray without ceasing? If by prayer he meant such things as these then I think we could not pray without ceasing. But there is another prayer, an interior prayer, which is without ceasing—desire. Whatever else you do, if only you desire that rest [148] you cease not to pray. If you wish to pray without ceasing then desire without ceasing. Your continual desire is your continual voice; "

― Thomas Aquinas , On Prayer and The Contemplative Life