True personal religion, which it is most needful to cherish comes from Heaven, and moves towards Heaven again. Every best and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no change, nor shadow of alteration, for of His own will hath He begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of His creature. True religion is a flowing out of the truth and goodness of God on the souls of men, and there fore they who have it are said to be partakers of the Divine nature. None but the highest of created beings can enjoy it. To be a true Christian is to be born again - or from above. All earthly nobility has its descent but from Adam, the slime of the earth; but a Christian as such derives his life from Christ, the brightness of the glory of God, and the figure of His substance; and it may truly be said of Christ, and true Christians, what was said of Gideon's brethren, they were like thee, and one of them as the son of a king. Titles of worldly honour are but nominal and temporary, but those by which God distinguishes bis children declare what is real and lasting; as Saint John observes: Behold what manner of charity the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called and should be the sons of God. Let God, therefore, have your hearts and wills, and a firm resolution built upon the strength of Christ that your religion shall be real, personal, practical; and let your daily prayer be, Give me understanding, and I will search thy law, and I will keep it with my whole heart.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp