Monday, August 18, 2014

The mere sense of the presence of God is an excellent prayer - Fr La Colombière

THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION OF SAINT CLAUDE DE LA COLOMBIÈRE

Continue to pray as you feel drawn, but do not worry about it, for worry comes from self-love. You must abandon yourself to the leading of God with no other intention than that of pleasing him, and when you know that you have this intention deep in your heart, you must not waste time in reflecting about yourself and about the degree of virtue you have attained; occupy yourself with him whom you love and bother very little about yourself.

In general, the mere sense of the presence of God is an excellent prayer, and if you can occupy yourself with it without strain, you need think of nothing else: not that you must avoid making acts when drawn to do so, but do not worry about them unless for some reason  you feel constrained to make them. Go to God simply, with great confidence that his goodness will guide you; let yourself go confidently as your heart draws you, and fear nothing but pride and self-love.

As for prayer, confine yourself to admiring the perfections of God and the virtues of the saints, and bear your involuntary distractions patiently. I assure you, you will gain great merit. Enjoy, cherish, and increase the desire God gives you of doing something for him. Make this the subject of your prayer as often as you feel moved to do so.

St. Claude de la Colombière (+1682) was a French Jesuit priest and the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. (The Magnificat, August 2014)

From: THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION OF SAINT CLAUDE DE LA COLOMBIÈRE

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