June 13th
St Chantal on Prayer
A Committed Heart
Anyone who has learned from our Lord how to look within himself, and how to long for His presence in the deepest recesses of his heart -- I can scarcely tell if such a person would not choose for a time to endure the pangs of hell rather than to return to the delights, or better to the vexations, of earth. The more we empty ourselves of whatever is not of God, the more He will fill us with Himself. So let us give up all thought of looking after ourselves in order that God may take charge of us.
The soul is carrying on a mystical silence when, refusing to speak to any creature, nor even to God Himself, it listens with a great interior attention. Such a silence pays a sublime tribute to God. Silence itself brings immense blessings to us, for it separates us from creatures in order to join us to God who is the sole source of our purity of intention. It is said in Holy Scripture: Listen, O Israel, and speak no word! So let us also try to break off all conversation with creatures and to give heed to our God. A single word from Him is worth more than ten thousand of our own invention.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
June 12th
St Chantal on Prayer
A Committed Heart
Let us be sure that we understand what an honor it is for us to spend time in prayer, as much time as we wish, as intimately as we wish. The man who wins from his prince an audience an hour long counts himself lucky, and our God, before whom the kings of the earth are less than a spark in the full blaze of the sun, and less than a little worm in the presence of the highest angels -- this great God, nevertheless, shows Himself eager to hear us at any hour of the day or night that suits us to address Him.
The only thing which is absolutely indispensable to prayer is our heart and, though if this part of us be not committed all the rest is only a hollow mockery, nevertheless with heart alone given to prayer we never lack for anything. We must not be surprised if those who give themselves to prayer pay so little heed to the things of this earth because, forever holding themselves in God's presence, they find themselves lifted to so great a height and see earthly things from so far off, so that it is as if they almost lost sight of them entirely.
St. John Climacus calls prayer the salvation of the world, the great beauty of the angels, the origin of grace, and the most glorious possession which men can hold in this world, as if to say that, sure in the possession of so great a treasure, they will pay scant attention to anything else.
It matters little what work God carries on in the soul, because the soul must not be attached to the work being done by God in the soul, but to God who is doing the work.
St Chantal on Prayer
A Committed Heart
Let us be sure that we understand what an honor it is for us to spend time in prayer, as much time as we wish, as intimately as we wish. The man who wins from his prince an audience an hour long counts himself lucky, and our God, before whom the kings of the earth are less than a spark in the full blaze of the sun, and less than a little worm in the presence of the highest angels -- this great God, nevertheless, shows Himself eager to hear us at any hour of the day or night that suits us to address Him.
The only thing which is absolutely indispensable to prayer is our heart and, though if this part of us be not committed all the rest is only a hollow mockery, nevertheless with heart alone given to prayer we never lack for anything. We must not be surprised if those who give themselves to prayer pay so little heed to the things of this earth because, forever holding themselves in God's presence, they find themselves lifted to so great a height and see earthly things from so far off, so that it is as if they almost lost sight of them entirely.
St. John Climacus calls prayer the salvation of the world, the great beauty of the angels, the origin of grace, and the most glorious possession which men can hold in this world, as if to say that, sure in the possession of so great a treasure, they will pay scant attention to anything else.
It matters little what work God carries on in the soul, because the soul must not be attached to the work being done by God in the soul, but to God who is doing the work.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
June 11th
St Chantal on Prayer
"Speak Lord..."
In prayer one must hold fast and never let go because in this game, he who gives up, loses all. If it seems that no one is listening to you, then cry out still louder. If you are driven out of one door, go back in by the other. If you are told, as was the Canaanite woman, that you do not deserve the grace for which you are asking, then reply like her that you lay no claim to unusual favors, but only hope to eat the crumbs which fall from the divine table.
Since God is infinitely above all things, the soul must in its turn raise itself infinitely to attain Him. The heavenly Bridegroom speaking to His bride, when she turns to Him in prayer, compares her to a pillar of smoke which mounts up towards the sky without finding anything which can hinder its climb.
St Chantal on Prayer
"Speak Lord..."
In prayer one must hold fast and never let go because in this game, he who gives up, loses all. If it seems that no one is listening to you, then cry out still louder. If you are driven out of one door, go back in by the other. If you are told, as was the Canaanite woman, that you do not deserve the grace for which you are asking, then reply like her that you lay no claim to unusual favors, but only hope to eat the crumbs which fall from the divine table.
Since God is infinitely above all things, the soul must in its turn raise itself infinitely to attain Him. The heavenly Bridegroom speaking to His bride, when she turns to Him in prayer, compares her to a pillar of smoke which mounts up towards the sky without finding anything which can hinder its climb.
Monday, June 10, 2013
June 10th
St Chantal on Prayer
"Speak Lord..."
The very essence of mental prayer, St. Francis de Sales used to say, consists in talking to ourselves and with God, praising and blessing Him because of what He is, speaking to Him as would a child to his father, a disciple to his master, a subject to his king, a poor beggar to a rich man, a criminal to his judge, a wife to her husband; in short, as we might to a faithful friend; like an utterly ignorant person, humbly silent, not knowing what to say, begging for divine treasure at the doorway of the heavenly court.
Should it happen during prayer that we experience some impulse from God by means of which He indicates that He wishes to communicate Himself to us, we must then halt all our own activity and come to a full stop, in order to give place to His coming and not to hinder Him by any action which might go counter to His will. Rather by an interior silence and a deep reverence we must make ourselves ready to receive what He may send. Sometimes, when we sense His coming, we may say to Him: "Speak, Lord, your servant hears." Then, opening up our heart in great peace and consenting to His grace, we must resolve to draw profit from it, obedient to the impulse received at prayer.
St Chantal on Prayer
"Speak Lord..."
The very essence of mental prayer, St. Francis de Sales used to say, consists in talking to ourselves and with God, praising and blessing Him because of what He is, speaking to Him as would a child to his father, a disciple to his master, a subject to his king, a poor beggar to a rich man, a criminal to his judge, a wife to her husband; in short, as we might to a faithful friend; like an utterly ignorant person, humbly silent, not knowing what to say, begging for divine treasure at the doorway of the heavenly court.
Should it happen during prayer that we experience some impulse from God by means of which He indicates that He wishes to communicate Himself to us, we must then halt all our own activity and come to a full stop, in order to give place to His coming and not to hinder Him by any action which might go counter to His will. Rather by an interior silence and a deep reverence we must make ourselves ready to receive what He may send. Sometimes, when we sense His coming, we may say to Him: "Speak, Lord, your servant hears." Then, opening up our heart in great peace and consenting to His grace, we must resolve to draw profit from it, obedient to the impulse received at prayer.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
June 9th
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
What we do in prayer must be determined according to our attraction, whether it be by meditation or by a simple gazing upon God, according as He may lead us.
Every meditation must be ended by three acts which we should never fail to make. The first is thanksgiving; the second, the offering of our prayer; the third, an act of petition, by which we implore God's aid in order to carry out the good resolutions which we have made. We must gather a little bouquet of devotion made up of the chief acts of love which we have carried out in order that we may savor it throughout our day.
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
What we do in prayer must be determined according to our attraction, whether it be by meditation or by a simple gazing upon God, according as He may lead us.
Every meditation must be ended by three acts which we should never fail to make. The first is thanksgiving; the second, the offering of our prayer; the third, an act of petition, by which we implore God's aid in order to carry out the good resolutions which we have made. We must gather a little bouquet of devotion made up of the chief acts of love which we have carried out in order that we may savor it throughout our day.
June 8th
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
When the hour comes for prayer, our soul which has been awaiting this blessed moment with a holy impatience, must rise up without delay, at the given signal in order to receive the honor which is about to be paid to us. Then we must call down the Holy Spirit, invoke the Blessed Virgin, our good angel, and take some of the saints to act as advocates in our appeal, and to keep us company in God's presence.
The most suitable state of mind for mental prayer is that which will lead us into it with a heart completely detached, so that the soul, in all its interior powers and resources, may appear naked before God and may bow down before His will, sometimes doing this by means of a deliberate act and fresh intention.
If prayer is to be good it must be carried out with attention and reverence. To tell the truth, would it be reasonable for almighty God, before whom the angels efface themselves in awe, to give any heed to a person who addresses Him without due reverence?
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
When the hour comes for prayer, our soul which has been awaiting this blessed moment with a holy impatience, must rise up without delay, at the given signal in order to receive the honor which is about to be paid to us. Then we must call down the Holy Spirit, invoke the Blessed Virgin, our good angel, and take some of the saints to act as advocates in our appeal, and to keep us company in God's presence.
The most suitable state of mind for mental prayer is that which will lead us into it with a heart completely detached, so that the soul, in all its interior powers and resources, may appear naked before God and may bow down before His will, sometimes doing this by means of a deliberate act and fresh intention.
If prayer is to be good it must be carried out with attention and reverence. To tell the truth, would it be reasonable for almighty God, before whom the angels efface themselves in awe, to give any heed to a person who addresses Him without due reverence?
June 7th
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
In order to put yourself in the presence of God you will picture Him as filling the entire universe, and you will see Him in every place, like the air which we know penetrates everywhere. Sometimes, we may gaze upon God all about us, surrounding us on every hand, while we ourselves are in Him like a fish in the sea, or like the birds lost in the air. Or perhaps it may be necessary for us to withdraw into ourselves, into that inner chamber of our hearts, and there, with a calm and steady eye, to consider how the divine essence lives throughout our soul and fills our inner self, to think how the Father there contemplates Himself, and how Father and Son produce the Holy Spirit.
Another way is to gaze upon our Lord in the Holy Sacrament of the altar. In order to do Him reverence there, it will be enough to recall what the faith teaches us, that this is God made man, and that this same Man is seated a the Father's right hand in eternity. Finally, we must humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are unworthy to speak to God, saying like Abraham: "I will speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes."
St Chantal on Prayer
Mental Prayer
In order to put yourself in the presence of God you will picture Him as filling the entire universe, and you will see Him in every place, like the air which we know penetrates everywhere. Sometimes, we may gaze upon God all about us, surrounding us on every hand, while we ourselves are in Him like a fish in the sea, or like the birds lost in the air. Or perhaps it may be necessary for us to withdraw into ourselves, into that inner chamber of our hearts, and there, with a calm and steady eye, to consider how the divine essence lives throughout our soul and fills our inner self, to think how the Father there contemplates Himself, and how Father and Son produce the Holy Spirit.
Another way is to gaze upon our Lord in the Holy Sacrament of the altar. In order to do Him reverence there, it will be enough to recall what the faith teaches us, that this is God made man, and that this same Man is seated a the Father's right hand in eternity. Finally, we must humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are unworthy to speak to God, saying like Abraham: "I will speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes."
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