Monastic life thus became a living protest against the secularization of Christianity, against the cheapening of grace.

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.

Self-justification and judging others go together, as justification by grace and serving others go together.

Discipleship is not an offer that man makes to Christ.

Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants. An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then let’s see something to prove it.

Who is pure in heart? Only those who have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus that he may reign in them alone. Only those whose hearts are undefiled by their own evil--and by their own virtues too. The pure in heart have a child-like simplicity like Adam before the fall, innocent alike of good and evil: their hearts are not ruled by their conscience, but by the will of Jesus.

Whenever Christ calls us, His call leads us to death.