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Fading light Quote by John Beevers

“God has made me so that when once I love I love for ever, and so I continue to pray for this girl and I love her still. When I saw how Céline loved one of the nuns, I tried to imitate her, but I didn’t succeed, as I didn’t know how to get into people’s good graces. It was a fortunate ignorance…” quote by John Beevers
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““God has made me so that when once I love I love for ever, and so I continue to pray for this girl and I love her still. When I saw how Céline loved one of the nuns, I tried to imitate her, but I didn’t succeed, as I didn’t know how to get into people’s good graces. It was a fortunate ignorance which has saved me from much evil. I am profoundly grateful to Jesus who has never let me find anything but bitterness in earthly friendships. With a nature like mine, I should have been trapped and had my wings clipped and then how should I have “flown away and found rest”? It’s impossible for one bound by human affection to have intimate union with God. I’ve seen so many souls, dazzled by this deluding light, fly into it and burn their wings like silly moths. Then they turn again to the true unfading light of love and, with new and more splendid wings, fly to Jesus, that divine Fire which burns yet does not destroy. I know that Jesus considered me too weak to be exposed to temptation. If I had seen this false light shining before me, I should have been wholly destroyed. I’ve been saved from that. I have found nothing but bitterness where stronger souls have found happiness and yet remained properly detached. So it’s no merit on my part that I never became entangled by love of creatures; I was saved only by the great mercy of God.””

John Beevers

About This Quote

Source Book: The Spiritual Journal of John Beevers, 19th century

The author reflects on the tension between human love and divine devotion, claiming divine mercy protected him from earthly bitterness and false passions.

In simple terms: Divine love protects from earthly pain.

Key Takeaway

Seek divine grace over worldly attachment.

Themes

spirituality detachment faith love redemption

Mood

contemplative solemn hopeful

Type

aphilosophical inspirational reflective

When to use this quote

  • prayer
  • spiritual counseling
  • personal reflection
  • religious study

Key Concepts

theology mysticism human frailty

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance love for others with spiritual devotion?
  • Can divine mercy replace human companionship?
A Different Perspective

Human love can distract from spiritual union; divine protection may be seen as limiting personal experience.

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