Aridity
Presence of God – O Lord, help me to be faithful to You, so that the spirit of prayer will not be extinguished in me through my own fault.
MEDITATION
At the beginning of a more intense spiritual life the soul usually enjoys a sensible fervor which makes spiritual exercises easy and agreeable. Good thoughts, sentiments of love, and outpourings from the heart arise spontaneously. To be recollected and alone with God in prayer is a joy; time passes quickly, and frequently the presence of God becomes almost perceptible; there is a like facility in the practice of mortification and the other virtues. However, his state does not ordinarily last long, and there comes a time when the soul is deprived of all sensible consolation. This suppression of sensible devotion is the state of aridity, which may have various causes.
Sometimes it is the result of infidelity on the part of those who little by little have become lax, allowing themselves many slight satisfactions and pleasures and giving in to their curiosity, selfishness, or pride–which they had previously renounced. If they only realized what benefits they are losing by such conduct, they would be ready for any of sacrifice rather than yield to these weaknesses. The habit of mortification, which was acquired at great cost, is quickly lost, and they again become the slaves of their own passions. Self-love, which was not dead, but only sleeping, becomes active again and may become not only the cause of many voluntary imperfections which had previously been overcome but even of deliberate venial sins. It may ultimately reduce to lukewarmness a once fervent soul. The unfaithful who has fallen back into mediocrity cannot protest to Lord in prayer that it loves Him and desires to advance His love; still less can it taste the joy of knowing that it t loves God. Hence such a soul inevitably falls into aridity. In this condition the only remedy is to return to its fervor. This will cost it dearly, but far from becoming discouraged, the soul should begin anew as soon as possible. Besides, Our Lord loves so much to forgive!
Colloquy
“Lord, my God, You who are holy, look and see my affliction! Have pity on the child whom You have engendered in sorry and do not consider my sins, lest you forget Your power over them. What father will not liberate his son? And what son has not been chastised by his father’s compassionate rod? O Father and Lord, although I am a sinner, I am nonetheless Your child, because You have created and recreated me. Can a mother forget the fruit of her womb? If she should forget – You, Father, have promised to remember. Behold! I cry and You do not hearken to me, I am torn with grief, and You do not console me. What shall I say, what shall I do, miserable creature that I am? Deprived of Your consolation, I am far away from Your site.
“O Lord Jesus, where are Your ancient mercies? Shall You be angry with me forever? Be appeased I beg You, and do not turn Your face away from me… I confess that I have sinned, but I am certain that Your mercy surpasses my offenses!
“Weep my soul and complain, miserable one; groan because You have sent away Your Spouse, Jesus Christ, the All-powerful God; do not be angry with me, O Lord, for I could never withstand Your anger. Have pity on me, so that I may not fall into despair. Although I am worthy of condemnation, do not withhold that which can save sinners.
“I hope for much from Your bounty, O Lord, because You Yourself teach us to ask, to seek, and to knock; at Your word, I ask, I seek, I knock. O Lord, You who tell us to ask, grant that I may receive; You who tell us to seek, grant that I may find; You who teach us to knock at the door, open to the one who is knocking! I am weak strengthen me. Bring me back, because I have wandered away and revive me, because I am dead. According to Your good pleasure, direct and govern my senses, my thoughts, and my actions, that I may live by You and give myself entirely to You.??? (St. Augustine).
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Art: Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., mirror from open source material.
