St. Paul of the Cross and the Word of God

"I must first tell you that to draw greater fruit from our Lord's teaching, you must listen to the Word of God, either oral or written, as if Jesus Christ Himself were speaking to you.  He Himself left this record for us in the holy Gospel" (St. Paul of the Cross, a letter to Marchioness Donna Marianna Della Scala Del Pozzo, January 3, 1729).

"Read not through curiosity, nor for mere gratification, nor in haste, but quietly and slowly, imitating the bee which lights on a flower and gently draws sweet nourishment from it" (St. Paul of the Cross, Primitive Regulations)

Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God

"Humble yourself, but gently, for if Mary Most Holy sees that your heart is tiny and infant-like in humility, she will allow you to embrace the dear Divine Infant" (From a letter of St. Paul of the Cross to Agnes Grazi, December 20, 1737).