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Thursday, March 14, 2019
“We must keep our eyes fixed on God in everything we say, do or undertake. Our goal is to be the most perfect adorers of God in this life as we hope to be throughout all eternity. We must make a firm resolution to overcome with God’s grace, all the difficulties inherent in the spiritual life.”
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. (Spiritual Maximum 2)
Do you think of your life as one of perfect adoration of God? Are your eyes always fixed on God in everything you say, do, or undertake? In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus tell us “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks, the door is opened to you.” There are two pillars of the spiritual life: Excellence of Praise and the Adornment of the Soul with Virtues. Neither is possible for us without the transformative nature of the grace of God. Jesus says to the two old and penurious visionary sisters in England, “Hear and I answer. Spend much time in prayer. Prayer is of many kinds, but of whatever kind, prayer is the linking up of the soul and mind and heart to God. … Because the soul, being linked to God, united to Him, receives in and through Him all things….” God Calling. The spiritual life is not easy. God knows this, which is why He so much waits for us to ask for Divine help through the gift of grace. Ask and ye shall receive! Our biggest challenge to our holiness is our very own self. Our bodily needs and desires loom before us like large reptilian creatures that can easily drag us off into the darkness of sin. St. Dominic once said, "A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil." All things are possible to those who rest in God and become the masters of their passions. That can only happen if one takes the time and makes the effort to train one’s imagination through meditative prayer and silent mental or contemplative prayer. For the subjugation of one’s thoughts and the imaginative passions that play out in the mind feed our passions and our greatest temptations. Today, look at how your imagination has in some way led you to sin or made your temptations more powerful. Then take a look at how Brother Lawrence’s practice of the Presence of God might help to fight your attraction to sin and your temptations.
Lenten Action
If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer. Contemplate some about how you might turn your actions into a habit of Practicing the Presence of God.
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, sit comfortably in a quiet place, and ask God to be with you and help you silence your thoughts. Concentrate on your breath going in and out and feel the rising and falling of your chest. Feel the rhythm of your breathing, and as you do bring your contemplation to feeling God’s Presence. Sit for 10 minutes silently. Remain at peace and let go of any intruding wayward thoughts bringing yourself back to the quiet Presence of God in you.
Today is not a Fast day, but if you have a mind to abstain from a favorite food or drink, please do so as a means of strengthening your will power. Remember not to watch TV, or use your computer or your phone to access social media, computer games, or other unnecessary apps.