Charles Williams : The New Christian Year

As a man raises himself towards Heaven, so his view of the spiritual world becomes simplified and his words fewer.

Dionysius the Areopagite: Mystical Theology.

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (September 30th, 2007)

Thou canst not stand still, because thou livest in the perpetual workings of temporal and eternal nature; if thou workest not with the good, the evil that is in nature carries thee along with it: thou hast the height and depth of eternity in thee, and therefore be doing what thou wilt, either in the closet, the field, the shop or the church, thou art sowing that which grows, and must be reaped in eternity. Nothing of thine can vanish away, but every thought, motion, and desire of thy heart has its effect either in the height of Heaven or the depth of hell: and as time is upon the wing, to put an end to the strife of good and evil, and bring about the last great separation of all things into their eternal state, with such speed art thou making haste either to be wholly an angel, or wholly a devil.

William Law: An Appeal.

The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (Sept. 29th, 2007)

God which moveth mere natural agents as an efficient only, doth likewise move intellectual creatures, and especially his holy angels: for beholding the face of God, in admiration of so great excellency they all adore him; and being rapt with the love of his beauty, they cleave inseparably for ever unto him.  Desire to resemble him in goodness maketh them unweariable and even unsatiable in their longing to do by all means all manner good unto all the creatures of God, but especially unto the children of men: in the countenance of whose nature, looking downward, they behold themselves beneath themselves; even as upward, in God, beneath whom themselves are, they see that character which is nowhere but in themselves and us resembled.

Richard Hooker: Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.

The Cause of all is not one, as one among many, but before every one and every multitude, and it determines every one and every multitude.

Dionysius the Areopagite: On The Divine Names.

17th Saturday after Trinity (September 29th, 2007)

In the beginning truly of my conversion and singular purpose, I thought I would be like the little bird that for love of her lover longs, but in her longing she is gladdened when he comes that she loves.  And joying she sings, and singing she longs, but in sweetness and heat.  It is said the nightingale to song and melody all night is given, that she may please him to whom she is joined.  How muckle more with greatest sweetness to Christ my Jesu should I sing, that is spouse of my soul by all this present life, that is night in regard of clearness to come.

Richard Rolle: Fire of Love.

17th Friday after Trinity (September 28th, 2007)

Happy then that soul, who in the lucid intervals of a wounded conscience can praise God for the same.  Music is sweetest near, or over rivers, where the echo thereof is best resounded by the water. Praise for pensiveness, thanks for tears, and blessing God over the floods of affliction, makes the most melodious music in the ear of heaven.

Thomas Fuller: A Wounded Conscience.

Tranquillity according to His essence, activity according to His nature: perfect stillness, perfect fecundity.

John of Ruysbroeck: De Vera Contemplatione.

17th Thursday after Trinity (September 27th, 2007)

There is no other righteousness save that of the man who sets himself under judgement, of the man who is terrified and hopes.  He shall live.  He has the expectation of true life, for, recognizing that this life is naught, he is never without the reflection of the true life in this life, never without the prospect of incorruption in that which is passing to corruption.  The great impossibility has announced to him the end and goal of every trivial impossibility.  He shall live of the faithfulness of God.

Karl Barth: The Epistle to the Romans.

God gave us faculties for our use; each of them will receive its proper reward.  Then do not let us try to charm them to sleep, but permit them to do their work until divinely called to something higher.

St. Teresa of Avila: The Interior Castle.

17th Wednesday after Trinity (September 26th, 2007)

If thou hast broken a vow, tie a knot on it to make it hold together again.  It is a spiritual thrift, and no misbecoming baseness, to piece and join thy neglected promises with fresh ones.  So shall thy vow in effect be not broken when new mended: and remain the same, though not by one entire continuation, yet by a constant successive renovation.

Thomas Fuller: A Wounded Conscience.