St. Augustine, Isn’t This Just “Navel Gazing”?
Question 017.
But isn’t the “going into ourselves” thing narcissistic?
More than an introversion, prayer is a transcendence of oneself. Do not wander outside of yourself, but return into yourself, for within the interior man dwells the truth. And when you discover that you too are mutable, transcend yourself. You transcend a reasoning soul. Therefore, gravitate towards that place where your reason is […]
St. Augustine, Where Should I Go to Find God?
Question 016.
Where should I look for God?
It is difficult to find Christ in the crowd. Your mind needs a certain solitude, for it is only by this type of contemplative solitude that God is seen… purify the chamber of your heart. Regardless of where you are, there pray, for he who dwells within, hears you.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 […]
St. Augustine, Might We Have Fulfillment in this Life?
Question 015.
Isn’t it expecting too much to think that anything can truly fill us in this life?
There let us dwell in hope, since we do not yet dwell in reality… And that which was our hope will become our reality, it will be our repose… You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts […]
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 […]