Live Jesus!

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

A few words of wisdom from St. Francis de Sales, whose feast we honor today, and from whom I received my monastic name: 

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“Engrave and inscribe on your heart this holy and sacred motto, ‘Live Jesus!’ I am certain that your life, which comes from the heart just as the almond tree comes from its seed, will thereafter produce all its actions—which are its fruits—inscribed and engraved with this sacred word of salvation. As our beloved Jesus lives in your heart, so too he will live in all your conduct… With St. Paul you can say, ‘It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me’ [Galations 2:20].”

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“Bear patiently the slight injuries, the little inconveniences, and the inconsequential losses that daily come to you. By means of such trifles as these, borne with love and affection, you will completely win God’s heart and make it all your own… Practice those little, humble virtues which grow like flowers at the foot of the cross: helping the poor, visiting the sick, and taking care of your family, with all the tasks that go with such things… Great opportunities to serve God rarely present themselves but little ones are frequent. Whoever will be faithful over a few things will be placed over many, says the Savior.”

From Introduction to the Devout Life