Practice of God's Presence: 7th letter
Seventh Letter: I pity you much. It will be a great relief if you can leave the care of your affairs to M_ and spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping God. He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration. Sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you in the midst of your troubles. Console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him at your meals and when you are in company. The least little remembrance will always be pleasing to Him.
You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we are aware. We do not always have to be in church to be with God. We may make an oratory of our heart so we can, from time to time, retire to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God; some more, some less. He knows what we can do.
Let us begin then. Perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live. You are nearly sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God. Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant while we are with Him. Without Him, the greatest pleasures will be a cruel punishment to us. May He be praised by all.
Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way; to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time; in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules or particular forms of devotion. Instead, act in faith with love and humility.
You may assure M_ of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours particularly.
Questions:
What are the "no great matters that God requires of us"? How often do you offer these to Him?
What do you think the expression "make an oratory of the heart" means? How would you begin to do that?
What is the "one generous resolution" do you think?
Evidently the good Brother believes one is never too old to learn!!!! To what does Br. Lawrence advise his correspondent to become accustomed/ What would this look like for you?
You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we are aware. We do not always have to be in church to be with God. We may make an oratory of our heart so we can, from time to time, retire to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God; some more, some less. He knows what we can do.
Let us begin then. Perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live. You are nearly sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God. Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant while we are with Him. Without Him, the greatest pleasures will be a cruel punishment to us. May He be praised by all.
Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way; to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time; in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules or particular forms of devotion. Instead, act in faith with love and humility.
You may assure M_ of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours particularly.
Questions:
What are the "no great matters that God requires of us"? How often do you offer these to Him?
What do you think the expression "make an oratory of the heart" means? How would you begin to do that?
What is the "one generous resolution" do you think?
Evidently the good Brother believes one is never too old to learn!!!! To what does Br. Lawrence advise his correspondent to become accustomed/ What would this look like for you?
posted by Gloriamarie Amalfitano @ 9:14 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home