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One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the Presence of God; and, being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.
- Brother Lawrence (c.1605-1691), The Practice of the Presence of God.
(Be where you are and do what you're doing -- a most difficult practice.)
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IS 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; PS 102:13-14AB AND 15, 16-18, 19-21
MT 11:28-30
Jesus said:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Praying the Daily Gospels: A Guide to Meditation, by Philip St. Romain, 2018 (3rd ed.)
Matthew 11: 28-30 (Burdens removed)
When we try to live life only out of the capital of our own resources, we will surely become burdened. Those who embrace Jesus’ way are promised shared burdens and spiritual refreshment.
• What burdens do you need help shouldering? Tell Jesus about them, articulating your feelings about these burdens. Ask him to let you know he is with you. Resolve to share these feelings with a friend whom you trust.
• Spend some time with the verse “Come to me...." Feel God’s desire for you.
Treatise on the Love of God, by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
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BOOK III: OF THE PROGRESS AND PERFECTION OF LOVE
Chapter 1: That holy love may be augmented more and more in each one of us
True virtue has no limits, it goes ever further; but especially holy charity, which is the virtue of virtues, and which, having an infinite object, would be capable of becoming infinite if it could meet with a heart capable of infinity. Nothing hinders this love from being infinite except the condition of the will which receives it, and which is to act by it: a condition which prevents any one loving God as
much as God is amiable, as it prevents them from seeing him as much as he is visible. The heart which could love God with a love equal to the divine goodness would have a will infinitely good, which cannot be but in God. Charity then in us may be perfected up to the infinite, but exclusively; that is, charity may become more and more, and ever more, excellent, yet never infinite. The Holy Ghost may elevate our hearts, and apply them to what supernatural actions it may please him, so they be not
infinite. Between little and great things, though the one exceed the other never so much, there is still some proportions provided always that the excess of the thing which exceeds be not an infinite excess: but between finite and infinite there is no proportion, and to make any, it would be necessary, either to raise the finite and make it infinite, or to lower the infinite and make it finite, which
is impossible.
So that even the charity which is in our Redeemer, as he is man, though greater than Angels or men can comprehend, yet is not infinite of itself and in its own being, but only in regard to its value and merit, as being the charity of a divine Person who is the eternal Son of the omnipotent Father.
Meanwhile it is an extreme honour to our souls that they may still grow more and more in the love of their God, as long as they shall live in this failing life: Ascending by steps from virtue to virtue.
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