St Augustine

“Peace is tranquility of order.”   


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St. Augustine

 “Belligerents are not reluctant to have peace, but they want a peace to their own liking.”  

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St. Monica

 “Guard your tongue when your husband is angry.” 

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St. Basil

“Anger is a kind of temporary madness.” 

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ANGER TO PEACEFULNESS

  Introduction

Uncontrolled and bitter anger has always been considered a vice among Christians. In our era it has assumed even more serious proportions due to increases in violent crimes: wife battering, assault, murder, rape, incest to name a few. We are not to let the sun set on our anger, not only because we are to dwell in loving harmony whenever possible, but also because such anger can grow to intense hatred leading to break-up of families, gang feuds, war between nations, and to rebellion against even God himself.

In his Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas distinguishes between righteous anger about injustice in the world and our own legitimate rights, and wrongful anger. It is a sin to let evil reign without protest! About such matters we are right to be assertive. On the other hand, Thomas comes down heavily on anger that is out of proportion – that is cold, vicious, and vengeful. This kind of anger we must pray against and confess before it takes root in our hearts.

Sometimes humor can come to our aid as an antidote to taking ourselves so seriously that everything that stands in our way causes fits of anger.

A good example of humor overcoming legitimate anger can be found in the life of Aquinas himself. It is said that his confreres in the Dominican Order liked to ridicule him for his absorption in philosophical problems and his scrupulous obedience. “Thomas, Thomas,” one cried out, “Come, look out the window. A cow is jumping over the moon!” The portly theologian left his work and rushed to see the prodigy. When the assembled friars laughed at him, he replied, “I would rather believe that a cow was jumping over the moon than that a Dominican would tell a lie!”

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St Jose Escriva

“In those around you, you don’t see brothers, you see stepping stones.”

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St. Jose Escriva

“You are ambitious: for knowledge?...for leadership?...for great ventures? Good, very good. But let it be for Christ, for love.”

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~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."

Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman

“Those who covet honor, I mean a great name, really covet no substantial thing at all.”

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Blessed Marie of the Incarnation

“We crush the head of the serpent when we scorn and trample underfoot the glory of the world, the praises, the vanities and all the other pomps of pride.”

Blessed Marie of the Incarnation

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st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland, new zealand

St. Gabriel Pessenti

“I have always been content here…. I would rather by the divine mercy be the least among the passionists than be the son of the king and heir to the kingdom.”

St. Bernard

“Ambition is the mother of hypocrisy and prefers to skulk in corners and dark places. It cannot endure the light of day. It is an unclean vice wallowing in the depths, always hidden, but with ever an eye to advancement.” 



















visit St. Michael's Parish, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand  

St. John Vianney

“The saints were so completely dead to themselves that they cared very little whether others agreed with them or not.”  

st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland, new zealand

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

“God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”






























st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland, new zealand

St. Bareanuphius

 “Do not seek to be regarded as somebody, don’t compare yourself to others in anything. Leave the world, mount the cross, discard all earthly things, shake the dust from off your feet.”

st. patrick's cathedral, new york

st. michael's parish, remuera, auckland new zealand

St. Thomas More

“What men call fame is, after all, but a very windy thing. A man thinks that many are praising him, and talking of him alone, and yet they spend but a very small part of the day thinking of him, being occupied with things of their own.”

St. John of Avila

“Christ tells us that if we want to join him, we shall travel the way he took. It is surely not right that the Son of God should go his way on the path of shame while the sons of men walk the way of worldly honor.”  






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AMBITION TO CONTENTMENT

Introduction

In our society success is considered by many to be the main goal in life. Is ambition really the ultimate goal in life? Or are other things more important? Christian teaching, while never condemning success in the pursuit of the good, tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of heaven and its justice, and all things shall be added unto you”(Mt 6:33). We ought to hope that God will use all the talent he has given us in letting us be instruments in our good works, but we should leave success in his hands and flee from decisions that involve seeking success at all costs. For many, this might mean refusing promotions that involve so much overtime as to detract from a healthy family life. For others this might mean leaving behind lucrative employment to live in a more wholesome environment where Christian support is more available.

The lives of the saints are studded with examples of blessed failure. Here’s what they say…







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Introduction

Why read quotes from saints if it is better to concentrate on the Bible? Studying the wisdom of the saints has long been a tradition in the church. They have been forerunners of the Christian faith and are already victorious in the same path we are trying hard to follow.

The saints are our guide and will lead us to the bosom of God. There they adore the Father and intercede for us all. Their sanctity gives much greater credibility to their words of wisdom than we would accord the beautiful thoughts of others which might be dismissed as mere idealism.

The words of the saints will hopefully inspire our lives and may help us on our spiritual journey.