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INTRODUCTION TO A DEVOUT
LIFE (cont) |
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by St Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church |
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PART II. Containing sundry counsels as to
uplifting the soul to God in prayer and the use of the Sacraments
(cont).
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5. Considerations, the Second Part of
Meditation. |
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AFTER this exercise of the imagination, we come to that of the
understanding: for meditations, properly so called, are certain
considerations by which we raise the affections to God and
heavenly things.
Now meditation differs therein from study and ordinary methods
of thought which have not the Love of God or growth in holiness
for their object, but some other end, such as the acquisition of
learning or power of argument. So, when you have, as I said,
limited the efforts of your mind within due bounds,--whether by
the imagination, if the subject be material, or by propositions,
if it be a spiritual subject,--you will begin to form reflections
or considerations after the pattern of the meditations I have
already sketched for you. And if your mind finds sufficient
matter, light and fruit wherein to rest in any one consideration,
dwell upon it, even as the bee, which hovers over one flower so
long as it affords honey. But if you do not find wherewith to feed
your mind, after a certain reasonable effort, then go on to
another consideration,--only be quiet and simple, and do not be
eager or hurried.
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6. The Third Part of
Meditation, Affections and Resolutions.
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Meditation excites good desires in the will, or sensitive part of
the soul,--such as love of God and of our neighbour, a craving for
the glory of Paradise, zeal for the salvation of others, imitation
of our Lord's Example, compassion, thanksgiving, fear of God's
wrath and of judgment, hatred of sin, trust in God's Goodness and
Mercy, shame for our past life; and in all such affections you
should pour out your soul as much as possible. If you want help in
this, turn to some simple book of devotions, the Imitation of
Christ, the Spiritual Combat, or whatever you find most helpful to
your individual wants.
But, my daughter, you must not stop short in general
affections, without turning them into special resolutions for your
own correction and amendment. For instance, meditating on Our Dear
Lord's First Word from the Cross, you will no doubt be roused to
the desire of imitating Him in forgiving and loving your enemies.
But that is not enough, unless you bring it to some practical
resolution, such as, "I will not be angered any more by the
annoying things said of me by such or such a neighbour, nor by the
slights offered me by such an one; but rather I will do such and
such things in order to soften and conciliate them."
In this way, my daughter, you will soon correct your faults,
whereas mere general resolutions would take but a slow and
uncertain effect.
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7. The Conclusion and
Spiritual Bouquet. |
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The meditation should be concluded by three acts, made with the
utmost humility.
First, an act of thanksgiving;--thanking God for the affections
and resolutions with which He has inspired you, and for the Mercy
and Goodness He has made known to you in the mystery you have been
meditating.
Secondly, an act of oblation, by which you offer your
affections and resolutions to God, in union with His Own Goodness
and Mercy, and the Death and Merits of His Son.
The third act is one of petition, in which you ask God to give
you a share in the Merits of His Dear Son, and a blessing on your
affections and resolutions, to the end that you may be able to put
them in practice. You will further pray for the Church, and all
her Ministers, your relations, friends, and all others, using the
Our Father as the most comprehensive and necessary of prayers.
Besides all this, I bade you gather a little bouquet of
devotion, and what I mean is this. When walking in a beautiful
garden most people are wont to gather a few flowers as they go,
which they keep, and enjoy their scent during the day. So, when
the mind explores some mystery in meditation, it is well to pick
out one or more points that have specially arrested the attention,
and are most likely to be helpful to you through the day, and this
should be done at once before quitting the subject of your
meditation.
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