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.
To pray is to change. This is a great grace. How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.
I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word 'Whosoever' is a very wide and comprehensive one...My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.
But it is in storms that God does his finest work, for it is in storms that God has our keenest attention
Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.
Whenever you face obstacles, crises and dilemmas and your confidence is in your associates more than in God- it is a sign your faith is deteriorating.
Let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.
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