Prayer (Self Denial and Sin)

In that which I have been extremely bad at, which is pridefully trying to be a somebody, forgive me Lord; and grant to me rather that I would be content to be a good nobody. I confess that I am a sinner and that I cannot think of myself mean enough. Indeed I am always worse than I think I am. But give me more of your grace that teaches me that to win in religion is to loose, and to loose is to win.

Thomas Manton Quote (Forgiveness)

"Let us try who will be the most weary, they in offending or we in pardoning" (Thomas Manton A Treatise of Self-Denial: Ch. Self-Denial and Our Neighbor).

Augustine Quote (Free Will and Mortification of Sin)

"If he should say in respect of these commandments, 'I wish to keep them, but am mastered by my concupiscence,' then the scripture responds to his free will, as I have already said: 'Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). In order that, however, that this may be gained, grace renders its help; and were not this help given, then the law would be nothing but strength of sin Augustine On Grace and Free Will Ch.VIII).

Augustine Quote (The Episcopate)

"'He that desireth the episcopate desireth a good work.' The episcopate is the title of a work, not of an honour. He that loves to govern rather than to do good is no bishop. It is unseemly to covet the high position requisite for governing the people, even though that position be held and that government be administered in a seemly manner" (Augustine The City of God Bk. 19:19).

Miserable Counselors

I find that most religious people are all too eager to help one along in afflictions where sin is the topic of concern. But it is quite mysterious to me that they are not the least bit interested in having the favor returned.

Truly it takes a keen eye to see dust in another eye, especially from afar off, when that self same kindred optical organ plays host to a log itself!

But a gracious soul takes what one can get.

Augustine Quote (Righteousness)

"Our very righteousness, too, though true in so far as it has respect to the true good, is yet in this life of such a kind that it consists rather in the remission of sins than in the perfecting of virtues" (Augustine City of God Book 19:27).

Augustine Quote (Peace)

"The peace which is peculiar to ourselves we enjoy with God by faith, and shall hereafter enjoy eternally with Him by sight. But the peace which we enjoy is in this life, whether common to all or peculiar to ourselves, is rather the solace of our misery than the positive enjoyment of felicity (Augustine City of God Book 19:27).