I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come
to me. (Psalm CXX, v. 1.)
1. The constant remembrance of God's presence is a means of perfection
that Almighty God Himself prescribed to the Patriarch Abraham. But this
practice must be followed gently and without effort or disturbance of
mind. The God of love and peace wishes that all we do for Him should be
done lovingly and peacefully.
2. Only in heaven shall we be able to think actually and uninterruptedly
of God. In this world to do so is an impossibility, for we are at every
moment distracted by our occupations, our necessities, our imagination.
We but exhaust ourselves by futile efforts if we try to lead before the
proper time an existence similar to that of the angels and saints.
3. Frequently the fear comes to you that you have failed to keep yourself
in the presence of God, because you have not thought of Him. This is a
mistaken idea. You can, without this definite thought, perform all your
actions for love of God and in His presence, by virtue of the intention
you had in beginning them. Now, to act is better than to think. Though
the doctor may not have the invalid in mind while he is preparing the
medicine that is to restore him to health, nevertheless it is for him he
is working, and he is more useful to his patient in this way than if he
contented himself with merely thinking of him. In like manner when you
fulfil your domestic or social duties, when you eat or walk, devote
yourself to study or to manual labor, though it be without definitely
thinking of God, you are acting for Him, and this ought to suffice to set
your mind at rest in regard to the merit of your actions. Saint Paul does
not say that we must eat, drink and labor with an actual remembrance of
God's presence, but with the habitual intention of glorifying Him and
doing His holy will. We fulfil this condition by making an offering each
morning to God of all the actions of the day and renewing the act
interiorly whenever we can remember to do so.
4. For this purpose, make frequent use of ejaculatory prayers. We have
already spoken of them. Accustom yourself to make these pious aspirations
naturally and without effort, and let them for the most part be
expressive of confidence and love.
5. Should it happen that a considerable space of time elapses without
your having thought distinctly of God or raised your heart to Him by any
loving ejaculation, do not allow this omission to worry you. The servant
has performed his duty and deserves well of his master when he has done
his will, even though he may not have been thinking of him the while.
Always bear in mind the fact that it is better to work for God than to
think of Him. Thought has its highest spiritual value when it results in
action: action is meritorious in itself by virtue of the good intention
which preceded it.
XI.
HUMILITY.