Stand in God's presence

Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II - Chapters 1-11

Polish Group

Tomasz Hawrylewicz, Tomasz Grzegorz Lukaszuk, Jan Marciniak

Notes form the sharing in the group on 7.11.2011

In the second part chapter I – XI.  St Francis using different imaginations, pictures and samples is stressing an importance of prayer and meditation “ prayer opens the understanding to the Divine Light, and the will to the warmth of Heavenly Love” ( Chapter 1 ). By prayer and meditation is easy to find rest and peace in the heart and act like Him (God) who is as tree is protecting us. Giving the examples of great saint and writers as Bonaventura, Bellintani, Bruno, Capilla, Francis de Sales advises how important and necessary it is to make daily meditation  - giving an hour every day before diner or after in the church of at home beginning whether with mental or vocal prayer in your language as rosary, spiritual book purifying by act of contrition.

Very important before meditation is just to stand in the presence of God as a blind man before king who do not see him, but feels his presence or David who sees His presence everywhere with explanation “the strength of my heart” or St. Stephen in the hour of martyrdom thus to hold Him.

(Chapter 2)  Presence before Blessed Sacrament and prostrating is helping to grow in total dependent as my God whom I choose.  ( Chapter 3)

By meditating Lord on His Cross and Passion is helping to understand how much God loves me sending His son (Chapter 4). This picture in my mind is no longer imagination but reality light in my spiritual journey. I need  always to search for Him ”as the bee which hovers over one flower so long as it afford honey.” (Chapter 6)

Meditation should be concluded with humility through my 1.thanksgiving, 2. oblation and 3. petition in which you ask God to give you a share in the Merits of His Dear Son. My meditation has to be as the flowers from the garden with their scent will bring to your heart joy and happiness. ( Chapter 7)

Purity and other virtues have to be practised in realities seeking opportunity how and where to use them well, standing before God in the truth calling for help and assistance  your guardian Angel, those persons who are concerned in the mystery you are meditating  to the Saints, to yourself, your own heart to sinners. ( Chapter 8)

As meditation sometimes is not so easy and very dry is very useful to use various gesture and action, such as prostrating yourself, folding your hands upon your breast, kissing your crucifix etc.

The morning prayer it should  be made in this wise:

1. Thank God and adore Him for His Grace, 
2. Call to mind that the new day is His gift, 
3. Consider how to praise and to live with His presence by humbling yourself, because the new day is his gift.  (Chapter 10)

Examinations of conscience should be made before going to bed in the following order:

1. At the end of the day is very important to examine of conscience with follow rules  as tanks God for his present during the day. 
2. Examine what you have done and how did you conducted yourself. 
3. For good thing  express your thanks and bob ask for pardon  begging God for his help and assistance 
4. Commend yourself to the church, your relations and friends, to God  etc. – to assist you.  

Synthesis by  D. Jan Marciniak