St. Augustine, What is This Deep Longing That I Sense in Prayer?
Question 014.
I sense a longing for something that I cannot explain – actually, it is more like a void that can’t be filled. Is this normal?
This is a natural phenomenon, born of your rapport with your Creator… Our natural desire for God presents us with the dilemma of having to change ourselves, and in doing so we alter our relationship with God. Through […]
St. Augustine, Where is God’s Temple?
Question 013.
Does this mean that beyond going into a private room, we are that private room? In other words, we are temples where God is to be found?
‘The heights’ it is said, ‘are in his heart, in the valley of weeping’. The valley is humility…Even though you seek a high place, a holy place, make yourself an earthly temple of God. ‘For the […]
St. Augustine, What Is It to Shut the Door?
Question 012.
But what does it mean to “shut the door”?
… to be alone with God in the sanctuary of the human heart, certain preparatory steps must be taken to ensure an authentic encounter with him. Cast out of your heart all sordid desires… greed… superstitions, blasphemies, and evil thoughts. Throw away your resentment – not only those you harbor towards your […]
St. Augustine, What Does it Mean to Pray is Secret?
Question 011.
If God is transcendent and immanent, why are we enjoined to go into our private room and, with the door shut, pray to our Father who is in a secret place?
…pour out your prayer where God alone sees, he who repays all…if you know what ‘your private room’ is and clean it, then pray to God there….If men are to reward you, […]