I have a very long list of books on this blog, and one I particularly like is called "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite lay-brother. The book is a collection of conversations he had with a friend, a group of letters he wrote to various people, and some of his spiritual practices. It isn't a big book and I think I read it in an evening. But I smiled throughout it and marveled at what a treasure he had found in being constantly in "the presence of God." To quote part of his second letter: "There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God. Only those who have experienced it can understand...I would urge everyone to be aware of God's constant presence, if for no other reason than because His presence is a delight to our souls and spirits. It is, however, also necessary. If we only knew how much we need God's grace, we would never lose touch with Him." In one of his conversations, he explained that to be constantly aware of God's presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. A little effort is needed to form the habit, but after practice it becomes easy. He said he spoke simply and frankly to God, telling Him everything and asking for help when needed. All we have to do is recognize God as being intimately present in us. Then we may speak directly to Him every time we need to ask for help, to know His will in moments of uncertainty, and to do whatever He wants us to do in a way that pleases Him. This continuous conversation should also include praising and loving God incessantly for His infinite goodness and perfection.
What a wonderful concept, and what a great little book!
I am Catholic!
I AM A CATHOLIC ... Because the founder of the Catholic Church is the God-Man Jesus Christ, Who was foretold by the prophets, and Who proved the divine character of His mission and teaching by wonderful miracles, especially by His Own Resurrection from the dead; Because Christ established upon Peter and the Apostles the Church, one, holy, universal, apostolic, with which He declared He would remain all days to the consummation of the world, and against which the gates of Hell would not prevail; Because Christ gave this society certain well defined doctrines which all men everywhere must believe under pain of damnation, to which they may not add or from which they may not subtract; Because Christ the Author of all holiness, promised to guard this society from error and preserve it until the end of time; Because the Catholic Church possesses all marks of this Church established by Christ: The Catholic Church is ONE because she everywhere professes the same faith, has the same sacrifice and sacraments, and is governed by one and the same visible head, the Pope. All non-Catholic sects lack unity. Because of the principles of private judgment they are conditionally splitting and subdividing. They have no central authority to hold them together. Their doctrines and practices are changing from day to day. The Catholic Church is HOLY because its Founder, Jesus Christ, is all-holy; because its doctrines are holy; because its means of sanctification, the sacraments, are holy; because it produces holy, saintly men and women. The Catholic Church is UNIVERSAL because it subsists throughout the ages, teaches all nations, and maintains all the truths given to it by Christ. The sects are not spread over the whole world but rather localized, nor do they they teach everything that Our Lord taught the Apostles. The Catholic Church is APOSTOLIC because it was founded on Christ's Apostles, because it is governed by their doctrines through their lawful successors, and because it never ceases to teach their doctrine. The sects cannot trace their origin to Christ or to the Apostles. I am a Catholic, finally, because God Who is Supreme Truth and Holiness could not possibly be the Author of the countless sects with their mutually destructive and contradictory teachings and practices.
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