Book Talk Tuesday, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 2, Chapter 9

Book Talk Tuesday, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 2, Chapter 9

CHAPTER IX. Concerning Dryness in Meditation.

SHOULD it happen sometimes, my daughter, that you have no taste for or
consolation in your meditation, I entreat you not to be troubled, but
seek relief in vocal prayer, bemoan yourself to our Lord, confess your
unworthiness, implore His Aid, kiss His Image, if it be beside you, and
say in the words of Jacob, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless
me;” or with the Canaanitish woman, “Yes, Lord, I am as a dog before
Thee, but the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s
table.”

Or you can take a book, and read attentively till such time as your
mind is calmed and quickened; or sometimes you may find help from
external actions, such as prostrating yourself folding your hands upon
your breast, kissing your Crucifix,–that is, supposing you are alone.
But if, after all this, you are still unrelieved, do not be disturbed
at your dryness, however great it be, but continue striving after a
devout attitude in God’s Sight. What numbers of courtiers appear a
hundred times at court without any hope of a word from their king, but
merely to pay their homage and be seen of him. Just so, my daughter, we
ought to enter upon mental prayer purely to fulfil our duty and testify
our loyalty. If it pleases God’s Divine Majesty to speak to us, and
discourse in our hearts by His Holy Inspirations and inward
consolations, it is doubtless a great honour, and very sweet to our
soul; but if He does not vouchsafe such favours, but makes as though He
saw us not,–as though we were not in His Presence,–nevertheless we
must not quit it, but on the contrary we must remain calmly and
devoutly before Him, and He is certain to accept our patient waiting,
and give heed to our assiduity and perseverance; so that another time
He will impart to us His consolations, and let us taste all the
sweetness of holy meditation. But even were it not so, let us, my
child, be satisfied with the privilege of being in His Presence and
seen of Him.
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