Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of relying on faith during difficult times, akin to how travelers depend on a staff for support.
In this quote, Anthony of Padua likens the act of leaning on the Cross of Christ to a traveler's reliance on a staff during a long journey. This metaphor suggests that just as a staff provides stability and support to a traveler, faith and the teachings of Christ offer strength and guidance to Christians as they navigate the challenges and obstacles of life. It highlights the importance of faith as a source of comfort and stability during trying times.
In practice
A pastor might use this quote during a sermon about relying on faith in times of adversity.
The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant.
Men will surrender to the spirit of the age. They will say that if they had lived in our day, faith would be simple and easy. But in their day, they will say, things are complex; the Church must be brought up to date and made meaningful to the day's problems.
Damned money! Alas! How many religious did it blind! How many cloistered religious did it deceive! Money is the 'droppings of birds' that blinded the eyes of Tobit.
The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit.
The life of the body is the soul; the life of the soul is God.
Earthly riches are like the reed. Its roots are sunk in the swamp, and its exterior is fair to behold; but inside it is hollow. If a man leans on such a reed, it will snap off and pierce his soul.
Too often we attempt to work for God to the limit of our incompetency, rather than to the limit of God's omnipotency.
It is for us to do those things which the Lord requires at our hands, and leave the result with him.
God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children.
There is a golden thread that runs through every account of faith from the beginning of the world to the present time. Abraham, Noah, the brother of Jared, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and countless others wanted to be obedient to the will of God. They had ears that could hear, eyes that could see, and hearts that could know and feel. They never doubted. They trusted.
I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care.
My walk on the moon lasted three days. My walk with God will last forever.
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