Lebeef

To act bravely is the part of a Roman, to suffer bravely is the part of a Christian. – St Ambrose (Commentary on the Beatitudes)

Impossible—I was reliably informed by lots of suspiciously coordinated, pseudonymous Twitter accounts that the Pope is a Muslim syncretist.

“A man is no true Christian if he has no devotion to the Mother of Jesus Christ.” St. John Eudes

The death of the Thief on the Cross was a baptism. He died with Christ and became a new creature. The form of your baptism will not be crucifixion next to the Eternal Logos, but likely by water. But like the Thief, without baptismal grace you cannot be justified.

No one can keep the hope of a future life, unless he have patience in the labours of the present one. -St. Augustine

No man in this world is strong, except in the hope of God's promises: for as to our deservings, we are weak, in His mercy we are strong. -St. Augustine

The Catholic Church isn’t for the perfect. It’s for the ones who know they need mercy.

“Conquering the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water." St. John of the Cross

“The grace of God does not find men fit for salvation, but makes them so.” — St Augustine of Hippo

And, of course, you must speak freely in condemnation of the professed enemies of God and His Church, heretics and schismatics – it is true charity to point out the wolf wherever he creeps in among the flock. -St. Francis de Sales

The demons work through thoughts. St. Anthony the Great—a man who spent decades in the desert face-to-face with demons—spoke of this directly: 'The demons have no power over us by themselves. They merely suggest thoughts to us—nothing more.'  What was he thinking? He refers not to the thought itself, but to the first impulse—a spark. Have you ever noticed this? You are calm, and then suddenly, for no reason, a feeling of frustration toward a loved one arises. Or a heavy, unnecessary gloom descends like a fog; or you suddenly want to say something offensive, and the words are already on the tip of your tongue." Abba Dorotheos of Gaza described Eight Generic Logismoi (tempting thoughts): 1. Gluttony (gastrimargia): Excessive focus on food/drink. 2. Lust (porneia): Sexual immorality or delusional thoughts. 3. Avarice (philargyria): Attachment to money/possessions. 4. Sadness (lype): Grief arising from unsatisfied desires. 5. Anger (orge): Malice or rage. 6. Acedia (akedia): Spiritual listlessness, the "noonday demon". 7. Vainglory (kenodoxia): Seeking human praise. 8. Pride (hyperephania): Self-exaltation and separation from God. Eight doors and at each door someone is waiting for us when we open it. Abba Evagree spoke not of sins, but of thoughts, of the first movement, because sin does not begin when we have done evil, but the moment we held on to a thought, we accepted it, we began to consider it. Abba Dorotheos of Gaza explains it this way: In the beginning, a thought comes. This is not yet a sin. Then we start talking to him, this is already a danger. Then we agree, this is already a defeat. Three steps. Every single time. No exceptions. And the amazing thing is that this is exactly what is described in the Gospel, in the story of Christ's temptations in the desert. The devil did not force Christ with force, but offered, throwing away the thought: Turn stones into bread because you are hungry - this is reasonable. Throw yourself down, angels will catch you, that will prove your faith. Bow down and ye shall receive all the earthly kingdom of the world - this is effective. Every time - a reasonable argument, every time - logic, and every time Christ responded with the word of God. Not with your own reasonings, but with the Word. This is a lesson for each of us. But here arises the question that is more important than it seems: If the devils only throw our thoughts at us, then they do not know what is inside us, then they act blindly? Pay attention here, because the answer to this question explains a lot of things in your life..

A faithful friend is the medicine of life. One loyal brother is worth more than a city. —St Ambrose

"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." -- 𝑺𝒕. 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒂

Push back against the age as hard as it pushes against you. What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. -Flannery O'Connor

"Hell took a body and met God face to face." -St. John Chrysostom

This pope is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, anti-gender ideology, anti-euthanasia and yet he’s a liberal because he’s… *checks notes*… anti-war

This is a map of the soul using a Seraphim. Absolutely fascinating video:

It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life. -St. Chrysostom

"There are many saints to whom God has given the power to assist us in the necessities of Life, but the power given to St. Joseph is unlimited." -- 𝑺𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒔

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on me a Sinner