[justanotherquoteblog]

Christianity does not agree with the optimistic thinkers who say, “We can fix things if we try hard enough.” Nor does it agree with the pessimists who see only a dystopian future. The message of Christianity is, instead, “Things really are this bad, and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Things really are this dark—nevertheless, there is hope.” The Christmas message is that “on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Notice that it doesn’t say from the world a light has sprung, but upon the world a light has dawned. It has come from outside. There is light outside of this world, and Jesus has brought that light to save us; indeed, he is the Light (John 8:12).

--Timothy Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ

[catholiccandles]

Not to be sappy but do you ever just look at someone and just feel so incredibly blessed to share the same time on earth with them

[catholiccandles]

Please be extra nice to retail workers during December. It breaks my heart how many people have to deal with so much rudeness this season in the name of Christmas consumerism.

[worshipgifs]

[malojasnake]

— Sunrise, by Louise Glück

[beguines]

I think it would probably kill God to give a direct answer to anything. And it would probably kill me to hear the direct answer. In this way God and I spare each other the awkward conversation, with both our arms shaking under this ashy rock that won’t fit through my door— this thing he brought me because, drunk, I asked him to.

Natasha Oladokun, “I Asked God for the Moon”

[cruciform-solidarity]

I would not exist, my God, I would not exist at all, unless you existed in me. Or is it rather that I would not exist unless I existed in you, from whom, through whom, in whom, everything exists?

Augustine, Confessions (trans. Sarah Ruden)

God is yours and the whole world. You are His, and you are all; or in all, and with all.

Thomas Traherne, Centuries 

[milkhoneylocusts-blog]

Neon Maria

[cruciform-solidarity]

Maggie Ross, Writing the Icon of the Heart

[freudarchives]

Love has chosen… me, a weak and imperfect creature. Is not this choice worthy of Love? Yes, in order that Love be fully satisfied, it is necessary that It lower itself, and that It lower Itself to nothingness and transform this nothingness into fire.

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Dictee

[catholiccandles]

Hello❤️ Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know I’m doing ok and apologize for worrying anyone. Basically I had a lot of devastating things happen back to back, and I hit a very low point. During this low point, I hide from my faith completely. Doing a lot better currently.

[catholiccandles]

Feeling super sick but I’ll answer the rest of the asks later on!

[kristina100000]

finding god in the steam thats coming out of my coffee

[catholiccandles]

I just want to say I don’t see many LGBT affirming religious blogs so when I do find one I really feel welcomed thank you

This made me so happy, thank you so much ❤️

[catholiccandles]

22 and 27?

22. When did you last sit down with God and think only of Him to pray?

I went on a hike with my rosary and my Bible and spent the hike stopping to read some of it, and then continuing walking and contemplating the passages as I hiked. It’s become one of my favorite ways to read the Bible but is definitely making my reread take extremely long lol. It’s incredibly grounding and I truly feel like I am having a conversation with God as I walk. I definitely consider it a form of prayer.

27. Is there a homily or a priest's advice that will always stick with you?

I wish I could verbatim quote it but on Ash Wednesday the priest made a great speech about how oftentimes we take up challenges and sufferings for worldly pursuits rather than actually bringing us closer to Christ. I left realizing how true this was for me. This lead me to start my journey towards seeing exercise as an act of self love and connection with my body without the stigma of weighing myself/dieting culture and has greatly improved my mental health. As well as questioning in general if something I’m doing is bringing me closer to God or if I’m doing it as a challenge just to see if I can do it. Super grateful for that service and it made my Lenten sacrifices so much more powerful.

[catholiccandles]

9 and 18 for the catholic questions !

9. Favorite Sacrament?

The Eucharist the Eucharist the Eucharist it’s not even a debate the Eucharist is one of the most important parts of Catholicism for me. It is so beautiful.

18. How often do you pray?

I usually pray every night before bed and try to pray before a major meal every day but the last few months I’ve been severely slacking and I hate it.. I genuinely love to pray and love the feeling of daily prayer and can’t wait to get back to my regular schedule!

[paula-of-christ]

Catholic Asks that range from casual to prying

I thought I would make my own because why not? I tend to always get the same numbers asked so I tried to make enough of them so that you could do multiple answers in case you get asked it multiple times!

1. A saint that influenced you either by their life or writings?

2. Favorite places to pray?

3. What is one of the devotions you have?

4. Tell us about a divine experience.

5. Pick a Holy Day and tell us why you like it.

6. Opinion on [insert specific prayer or devotion].

7. Do you prefer the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or some other chaplet? (St. Anne, St. Joseph, etc)

8. Favorite church hymn?

9. Favorite Sacrament?

10. Tell us about a moment when you've felt close to God the Holy Spirit.

11. Tell us about a moment when you've felt close to God the Son.

12. Tell us about a moment when you've felt close to God the Father.

13. When were you confirmed?

14. When did you receive your first communion?

15. When were you baptized?

16. How often do you go to confession?

17. In the last week have you felt God's presence in your life?

18. How often do you pray?

19. What prayers do you do regularly?

20. Pick one thing that you could change about the Church, what is it?

21. Favorite pope?

22. When did you last sit down with God and think only of Him to pray?

23. Do you pray enough?

24. Do you do corporeal or spiritual acts of mercy more?

25. Tell us about a time when you might have felt embarrassed for or of your faith.

26. When was the last time you went to confession?

27. Is there a homily or a priest's advice that will always stick with you?

28. Pick a random quote from one of the Gospels and give us your opinion on it.

29. (If the blogger is female) What is your veiling preference? (If the blogger is male) What do you normally wear to Mass?

30. Have you ever been to a Catholic wedding?

31. Have you ever been to an ordination Mass?

32. Have you ever been to a religious profession Mass?

33. (Female) Nun or active sister? (Male) Diocesan priest or religious?

34. Who is a saint you've always admired from afar but never learned much about?

35. Which time is the best for Mass? (Saturday evening, Sunday early morning, or Sunday late morning)

36. Opinions on getting a tattoo as a practicing Catholic?

37. Opinions on getting piercings as a practicing Catholic?

38. Votive candles or incense?

39. Mary or Joseph?

40. Crucifix (Jesus died for you) or empty cross (that place was for you/die to self)?