Thirtieth meditation. The presence of God

First point.

Reflect that heaven and earth are full of the majesty of God, who is in all things and everywhere, by His essence, His presence, and His power. O how can we forget a truth so infallible and so encouraging? " Oh! " exclaimed Moses to animate his people, " there is no nation that has its gods so near it as we have, for our God is always with us. His eyes see us continually, His ears are lovingly inclined to hear us in all places."

Second point.

Reflect that attention to the divine presence is an efficacious means to arrive at perfection. It was one of the first precepts that God gave to His servant Abraham: " Walk before Me, and be perfect." 0 Lord, what else didst Thou say to me in placing me in this holy convent, except, "My daughter, walk always in My presence, and you will attain perfection! Think on Me in all your ways, and I will conduct your steps."

III. Point Reflect into what an abuse and misfortune the soul falls that is forgetful of this divine presence! The two old men of Babylon 'turned their eyes away from heaven, in order not to remember their sins. "You are mad," says David, "if you say: ' The God of Jacob does not see me, the God of Israel watches not/ For His eyes behold all upon the face of the earth. He sees and contemplates all that is done upon it; He sounds hearts, He foresees thoughts; nothing escapes Him, His eye observes all things."

Affections. O sweet Jesus, my Saviour and my God! assuredly I know that if I ascend up to heaven, Thou art there; if I descend into hell, there I find Thee; if my spirit flies to the extremity of the seas, and descends into the abysses, there I meet Thee. Therefore, why shall I not serve Thee everywhere? Why shall I not pray to Thee in all places, since in all places, my Beloved, Thou dost listen to me? O sovereign King! how happy are they who belong entirely to Thee! Thou dost give them audience at all hours. "Who will obtain for me the grace that in all things and everywhere I may forget myself by the constant remembrance of Thee, who art more present to me than I am to myself. The further I withdraw from myself, the nearer I approach to Thee.

Wherefore, alas! is this disorder? I am called to walk before the Lord and to be perfect; but, on the contrary, I walk after my own appetites, my self-will, and my self-love; thus do I annihilate all perfection. O my soul! henceforth in all your actions you should look up to Him who sits at the right hand of the Father, invisible to our senses, but present to the heart, in which He desires to reign as He does in heaven.

O foolish and ungrateful spouse! dare you hereafter voluntarily turn away from your Beloved, in order to occupy yourself with the miserable amusements of earth? Ah! it is in His presence, it is before His eyes, that you are wanting in fidelity; nothing is concealed from the great Spectator who dwells on high. O God, searcher of hearts, may all my thoughts and my desires be directed to Thee I