How to Unite Your Will to God's Today

"During the activities of the day, spiritual as well as temporal, as often as you can ... unite your will to God’s ...

Do this either by a simple, loving glance at God, or by a few words spoken quietly and cast into His Heart; by assenting in words like:

‘Yes, Lord, I want to do this action because You want it,’ or simply, ‘Yes, Father,’ or ‘O Holy Will, live and rule in me,’ or other words that the Holy Spirit will suggest to you. You may also make a simple sign of a cross over your heart, or kiss the cross you are wearing. All this will show that above everything, you want to do the holy will of God and seek nothing but his glory in all that you do..." 

St. Jane de Chantal                                                                                      

Painting: William Merritt Chase, Wash Day, 1886

                                         

This Name is Medicine

'Does one of us feel sad? Let the Name of Jesus come into his heart...  and where is the man who, terrified and trembling before impending peril, has not been suddenly filled with courage and rid of fear by calling on the strength of that Name? Where is the man who, tossed on the rolling seas of doubt, did not quickly find certitude by recourse to the clarity of Jesus' Name? Was ever a man so discouraged, so beaten down by afflictions, to whom the sound of this Name did not bring new resolve? In short, for all the ills and disorders to which flesh is heir, this Name is medicine.'

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

All for the Greater Glory of God!

'In all your actions, purify your intention. 

Renew it several times a day. 

Often repeat:  All for the greater glory of God!'

St. Paul of the Cross 

Painting:  P.S. Krøyer, Skagen's Beach, Anna Ancher and Marie Krøyer Walking Together, in US public domain due to age 

As Much as it is Possible!

"During the day, 

and even at night if you wake, 

say to God: 

'My God, give me the grace to love You 

as much as it is possible to love You!'"

Cure' D'ars

Painting:  Paul Peel, The Young Botanist

Interior Glances

"When you are physically or mentally occupied, while fulfilling the duties of your state in life, renew as far as possible, again and again, your 'yes' to the will of God.  Cast frequent interior glances on the divine goodness."      St.Francis de Sales

Jules Breton painting in US public domain 

Fix the Eyes of Your Soul

'Make frequent spiritual aspirations to God by means of short but ardent movements of the heart.  Marvel at His beauty, implore His help, cast yourself in spirit at the foot of the cross, adore His goodness, and beg Him that you may be saved eternally.  Give Him your heart and offer your soul to Him thousands and thousands of times.  Fix the eyes of your soul upon His gentle face and hold Him by the hand, just as a small child does with his father.'  (St. Francis DeSales, Introduction to the Devout Life)

Painting: Josef Kinzel Abendläuten, 1903, in US public domain