Saint John of the Cross on the Love of God

Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me. What do you ask, then, and seek my soul? Yours is all of this, and all is for you. Do not engage your self in something less or pay heed to the crumbs that fall from your Father's table. Go forth and exult in your Glory! Hide yourself in it and rejoice, and you will obtain the supplications of your heart.

— St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross was imprisoned three times while trying to reform his own order. He was shamefully persecuted by his brethren and publicly disgraced. The physical and emotion suffering he endured during this time was immense. This total abandonment by creatures deepened his interior peace and longing for God.