Saintly Wisdom: St. Alphonsus Liguori

“‘A fool,’ says the Holy Spirit, ‘is changed as the moon; but a holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun.’ (Eccus. 27:12). The fool, that is, the sinner, is as changeable as the moon, today he laughs, tomorrow he cries; today he is meek as a lamb, tomorrow cross as a bear. Why? Because his peace of mind depends on the prosperity or the adversity he meets; he changes with the changes in the things that happen to him. The just man is like the sun, constant in his serenity, no matter what betides him. His calmness of soul is founded on his union with the will of God; hence he enjoys unruffled peace. This is the peace promised by the angel of the Nativity: “And on earth, peace to men of good will.” (Luke 2:14). Who are these “men of good will” if not those whose wills are united to the infinitely good and perfect will of God?”

- St. Alphonsus Liguori, Uniformity With God’s Will

“When I think that Thou, the Son of God, did lead a life of such tribulation upon this earth, so poor and neglected, how is it possible that I should go about seeking the amusement and good things of the earth? Take me, I pray, my dear Redeemer, for Thy companion; admit me to live always united with Thee upon this earth, in order that, united with Thee in heaven, I may love Thee there, and be Thy companion throughout eternity. What goods, what pleasures, what dignities, what honors! All is vanity and folly. The only real riches, the only real good, is to possess Thee, who art the infinite God. If in times past I have sought after the vanities and pleasures of this world, I now detest them, and am sorry that I have done so. My savior, from this day forward Thou shalt be my only delight, my only love, my only treasure.”

- St. Alphonsus Liguori

 

"My innocent Jesus, by the torment You suffered in being stripped of Your garments, help me to strip myself of all attachments for the things of the earth that I may place all my love in You."

-The Way of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Tenth Station

“If all men and angels had offered their lives, their oblation could not have been so dear to God as was this of Jesus Christ, because in this offering alone the Eternal Father received infinite honor and infinite satisfaction. If Jesus offers His life to His Father for the love of us, it is just that we should offer Him our life and our entire being.” — St. Alphonsus Lioguori