Category: Words of Wisdom

“I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” – Anne Frank

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8, WEB

In the midst of the monotony and dullness of life, we discover that it is beauty that saves us. Wherever we find the beautiful, we also find the eternal, and we learn that though not all things can be defined, they can be felt, and their awe can reach the deepest parts of the heart.

It is in that awe for the mysterious that our thoughts are lifted higher and we come to realize the desires of our own souls. Desires we never even thought we had.

It is the desire for the greatest good, the highest sanctity, the purest love.

It is the longing for our true dream, for a lasting and unshakable happiness penetrating our very bones!

Our situation today shows that beauty demands for itself at least as much courage and decision as do truth and goodness, and she will not allow herself to be separated and banned from her two sisters without taking them along with herself in an act of mysterious vengeance. We can be sure that whoever sneers at her name as if she were the ornament of a bourgeois past — whether he admits it or not — can no longer pray and soon will no longer be able to love.” – Hans Urs von Balthasar

“He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” – George Herbert

Forgiveness may be one of the most difficult things we need to do in life. It is never easy. Quite often, we may even think it to be impossible to do.

Yet for as long as we hold on to our grudge, we also hold on to our pain. We desire to have justice, but it flees from us. We want to be happy again but all we could ever feel is our pain.

We need forgiveness to find healing and to be whole again. We need to forgive all of those who have hurt us, and we need to forgive ourselves as well.

There is no citizen of heaven who has ever reached it without having forgiveness in his or her heart. In heaven, we are set free from everything that hurts us, and we look to the present bliss instead of holding on to the past. In heaven too, we accept the forgiveness of Him who saved us and kept us from despair. We look no more to our sins but to His infinite mercy and love.

Heaven is forgiveness. Being forgiven. And being able to forgive. Forgiveness brings peace. Forgiveness unites us and builds bridges where we once built walls. Forgiveness allows us to lay down our burdens, our guilt, our anger. When we finally find healing and wholeness, we find forgiveness as well. Forgiveness is what we call as heaven. – Jocelyn Soriano

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:8-9, WEBBE

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. – Mark 11:25, WEBBE

There is no need to be dismayed if love sometimes follows torturous ways. Grace has the power to make straight the paths of human love. – Pope John Paul II

Let us not grow weary if our efforts of love do not bring us quickly the fruits we desire. Love has its own time, its own course. It may seem slow in accomplishing its task, but we must never lose faith in it. It is still our best option, and many times, our only chance. For though we may not see how it works, it will certainly act in favor of good. It alone can change and touch the human heart. In its own beautiful time, it will accomplish more than we could ever expect it to do, creating miracles along the way and moving even mountains to make way where we thought there could never be a way.

For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do. – Isaiah 55:10-11,WEB

“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” – St. Augustine

Anger need not always be destructive. Anger can be useful if it pushes us to defend what is good and right.

We need not remain as mere observers of all the wrong things in the world. We can be angry about it and we can do something to make a change for the better.

Those who accept the evil around them sooner or later experience a depression in their souls. Depression comes because hope is lost.

We can regain that hope and do something instead. We can find the courage to make a difference, to make things good again.

Many times, it takes but a few men of courage to make a great change, men who are not afraid to stand up for what is right and to fight a good fight while not succumbing to the darkness around them.

And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. -Ezekiel 22:30, NRSVCE

“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” – St. Augustine

There are many times when we just feel so tired and exhausted. We were told to do our best and we did, but there still seems a very long way to go. We were told to give our all and we gave everything, but we have reaped nothing for all our years of labor and pain.

In times like that, we can look to Him who knows how hard we have already tried. To Him who has compassion upon us. To Him alone who can refresh us and give us rest.

O, weary one, you need not carry your burden alone. You need not feel you’re on your own. For you have a Father who cares for you, who is ready to catch you when you feel so weak that you’d fall.

Rest upon Him and let Him carry you through. Let His love empower you. Let His kindness soothe your every ache and pain. Upon His strong and loving arms, your burden becomes light and even your bitterness becomes sweet.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11, WEB