The Presence of God

The Presence of God:

Over three centuries ago there was a lay brother who was a cook at the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Paris.  He was given the name Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection.   Brother Lawrence wrote very little and little of that survived.  Abbe de Beaufort put together some of his letters and wrote down what he could remember from his conversations  with Brother Lawrence.  Brother Lawrence's thoughts have influenced generations of people, and he continues  even today to point the way toward the practice of the presence of God.  Brother Lawrence said that we should settle ourselves firmly in God's presence by constantly talking to Him, and that we should be ashamed when we let our thoughts of trivial and silly things break into the conversation.  That we should feed our souls by thinking of God, and that this devotion to God would give us great joy.   

Brother Lawrence says we ought to give ourselves up to God with regard to things both spiritual and temporal, and seek satisfaction only in fulfilling His will, whether he lead us by suffering or consolation for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.   Brother Lawrence expected to have a turn of pain and suffering, but he was not uneasy about it knowing he could do nothing of himself, God would not fail to give him the strength to bear it.  

When an occasion offered itself for practising some virtue, he addressed himself to God saying, "Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enables me.", and then he received strength more than sufficient.  When he failed in his duty, he only confessed his fault saying to God, "I will never do otherwise if you leave me to myself, tis you must hinder my falling and mend what is amiss," and after this he gave himself no other uneasiness about it.   Brother Lawrence says we ought, without anxiety, to expect the pardon of our sins from the Blood of Jesus Christ only endeavoring to love Him with all our hearts. 

Brother Lawrence says the greatest pains and pleasures of this world were not to be compared with what he had experienced of both kinds in a spiritual state, so that he was careful for nothing and feared nothing , desiring but one thing from God, that he might not offend Him. 

We need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him at every moment, that we may beg His assistance in knowing His will in things doubtful and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.  

Something to think about; something to try. 

God love you !

Hope:

Hope can be defined as an optomistic attitude of mind based on the expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large.   As a verb, its definitions include "expect with confidence", and  "to cherish a desire with anticipation".  Opposites of hope are "dejection", "hopelessness", and "despair".

Hope is a major concept in most major world religions.  In Christianity hope is one of the theological virtues alongside faith and love.  The greatest hope in the Christian faith is that of eternal life.

The Catholic "Act of Hope"

            O my God, relying on your almighty power,

             infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain

             pardon of my sins, the help of your grace, and life

             everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my

             Lord and Redeemer.

So, we have confidence that with God's help we can get to heaven.  We also have confidence that God is true to his word as found in the bible.  He will provide for us.  He will help us.  He is our rock and refuge.  

Martin Luther King Jr. states "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."   When we attempt something, it is because we have a confident expectation that we can accomplish it.  If it were not so, we would never begin.

G.K. Chesterson says, "To love means loving the unlovable.  To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.  Faith means believing the unbelievable.  Hope means hoping when everything is hopeless".   This is our challenge.

So, be a person of hope.  Confidently expect the favor of God in all you do.  Do not be afraid.  You have a God who loves you and longs to give you all good things.

God love you!