Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Book 2 Chapter 9: On the Want of All Comfort

“It is not hard to despise human comfort when the comfort of God is present.”

What is it we want but to be forever in the arms of God.  St. Augustine said, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you Lord.”  But what about those times when we do not feel the presence of God?  What about those periods of dryness when it seems like God has abandoned us?  Do we still find comfort in God?  Thomas a Kempis says, “”It is not test of virtue if you are happy and devout when grace comes to soul.”  None of us seek tribulation in our lives, but sometimes it is there.  It is there to help develop us fully so we can learn to fully depend upon the grace of our Father in heaven.  This is most true when we lose a loved one or someone very dear to us. We cry out in pain because they are no longer around.  We feel abandoned. This is also true when a dear friend betrays us or lets us down when we need them the most.  God allows us to experience these times so we can learn to rely solely upon Him who created us.  We should go through these trials knowing that God loves us and not feeling depressed because we think He abandoned us.  Before we can win victory over our own self-love, we must “go through considerable conflict with self and be able to give [our] whole heart to God.”  If we rely upon our own strength, we will become dependent upon human consolation. But those who truly love Christ and seek a virtuous life, will always seek consolation in God.  When God sends you “spiritual comfort” we should rejoice and glad for this is the day the Lord has made. But when consolation is withdrawn, we should “not become despondent.” We should “patiently wait for the return of God” for He will reward us “grace in fuller measure.”  This is when we will truly appreciate the grace that has been poured out for us.  It is in this time we will find the greatest comfort.  After going through the dryness, the reward on the other side is much more cherished.  Many times when you read the stories of the great Saints, you hear of times in their lives when God did not interact with them.  If the great Saints go through these periods, then we should want the same for us.  I think if you talk to anyone who is devout, you will tell you that they too have experienced these periods of dryness.  It is during these periods of temptation that we must truly love God to choose God not knowing for sure He is there. This is the true trial of faith. 

A Simple Prayer

Heaven Father, Creator of All

You love is endless and your grace abundant;

Let always pour out on me so I can feel your presence in my life.

But when I do not sense you in my life, at least give me the grace to know that you will return.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon