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Wednesday, March 13, 2019
“Everything is possible for one who believes, still more for one who hopes, even more for one who loves, and most of all for one who practices and perseveres in these three virtues. All baptized who are true believers have taken the first step along the way of perfection and will become perfect as long as they persevere in the practice of [the Presence of God.]” Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (Spiritual Maxum 1)
The human condition is broken, which is born out in our natural concupiscence (our attraction to sin). The French call concupiscence nostalgie de bouie or the attraction to the mud. Sin feels good. It attracts us because it fulfills some desire that starts small and soon blows way out of proportion when we indulge in it too much. Baptism starts us on the life long journey back to God. If you were baptized as an infant, then it is likely you do not remember your baptism. Hopefully, you may remember when it was that you made an adult choice to follow Jesus teachings and thereby live the Christian life more fully. Once the decision is made to follow Christ, a process begins that runs through all the choices you made that have brought you to where you are now in your life. Were those choices for God or against God? Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God rests in the understanding that all things are possible from a spiritual perspective by directing one’s attention towards God in faith, hope, and love. In faith one believes that God’s grace abides in and all around us and that God is with us. This engenders a great hope in the transformative nature of grace that blossoms forth and transfigures everything in God’s love. As Jesus says to two old and penurious English sisters to whom He appeared, “The way of the soul’s transformation is the Way of Divine Companionship. Not so much the asking Me to make you this or that but the living with Me, thinking of Me, talking to Me – thus you grow like Me. Love Me, Rest in Me, Joy in Me.” God Calling, Today, practice the Presence of God by imagining God walking beside you in each moment.
Lenten Action
If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, get comfortable and in the silence of your heart tell God you want to be with Him and ask Him to help you silence your thoughts. Then direct the focus of your attention on your breathing. Feel the rising and falling of your chest. Feel your lungs as you breathe in and out. Rest in the rhythm of your breathing. When random thoughts intrude, notice them and then let them go and refocus your attention of the rhythm of your breathing. Try to extend your time in silent prayer if you were only doing 5 minutes. Don’t be upset if you don’t actually get to a place where your mind is silent. This is natural because your mind is made to think. Don’t judge your success in silent prayer by whether you were able to banish your thoughts and have a silent mind. Worldly measures here have no real value. Do not attempt to drive your thoughts away. This will only disturb your ability to sit in silence. Simply notice them and let them go.
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.