‘The story of Moses at the burning bush is a symbol of how God’s presence and spirit do not compete with, overwhelm or destroy the nature of created things. Although the bush burns, it is not destroyed. So too with our human nature. Friendship with God and co-operation with his grace does not lead to the surrender of our humanity but the perfection of it, making our human nature beautiful and radiant – as it was meant to be'.
Fr Billy Swan
'Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.'
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
‘The divine name, "I Am" or "He Is", expresses God's faithfulness: despite the faithlessness of people's sin and the punishment it deserves, he keeps "steadfast love for thousands". By going so far as to give up his own Son for us, God reveals that he is "rich in mercy". By giving his life to free us from sin, Jesus reveals that he himself bears the divine name: "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will realize that "I AM"."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 211
“Compassion allows you to see reality; compassion is like the lens of the heart: it allows us to take in and understand the true dimensions. In the Gospels, Jesus is often moved by compassion. And compassion is also the language of God.”
Pope Francis, 7th July 2020
'O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!
O sweet cautery,
O delightful wound!
O gentle hand! O delicate touch
that tastes of eternal life!
and pays every debt!
in killing you changed death to life.
O lamps of fire
in whose splendors
the deep caverns of feeling,
once obscure and blind,
now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
both warmth and light to their Beloved.
How gently and lovingly
you wake in my heart,
where in secret you dwell alone;
and in your sweet breathing,
filled with good and glory,
how tenderly you swell my heart with love'.
St John of the Cross, Living Flame of Love
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