Lectio et Oratio

Does God always lead us by the same path?

No. De Caussade distinguishes two states of soul. There is the state in which the soul lives in God, for God, in relation to God. The soul regulates everything as it seeks divine union. There is also the state that we are led to at times in which God lives in the soul. Instead of our directing ourselves to Him, he begins to direct every step we take. The way into this state can be dark and difficult.

What is necessary for our being conformed to God's plan for us?

Docility. Abandonment. Living in the present moment. Each of us is meant to be a unique artistic production produced by God the Father. He has in mind His Son, His Word, through whom we were created. He is making us like unto Him by all He allows to happen to us.

Do we have to be learned and eloquent to become saints? 

No. Holiness is not in the intellect as much as in the will. God's love is at work. Our task to be willing to follow His lead.

Do I have to lean on creatures to become holy? 

No created being can make us holy. God alone can. Gradually God teaches us that He alone can bring about our sanctification. He uses creatures as His instruments. But what He wants is for us to accept everything as from His hands.

What does God especially want from us? 

Being content with his will. He does not ask of us great deeds that cause wonder in others. He does not even ask us to be martyrs (necessarily). We wants us to say yes to His will in each of our lives.

Is every event in our lives holy? 

In a way, yes. All that happens involves God's creative activity. All that happens is allowed and directed by God. Thus, every moment has a kind of sacredness to it. This is why we can always be in union with God's will at every moment as we say yes to His will.

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Is it still possible to become a saint in modern times?

Yes. De Caussade tries to persuade us that saints can still exist. Sanctity is not limited to the time of the Apostles. There is one road to holiness: the will of God. God's will is still being made manifest in his divine operations. By our fidelity to that will, no matter the evil around us, we can become holy.

Why is gaining knowledge through experience so important?

This was the one way in Christ gained knowledge. We are imitating Him. Unless we experience certain things, we will never be able to communicate them to others. Unless we go through certain things, we will never be able to understand those God sends us. And God unites people in this life. God sends people into our lives whom we are supposed to help.

What is the purpose of all that happens to us?

God has one desire: to unite us to Himself. God is Love and wills to share His life with us. God only created the world because he wanted to unite us with His Son in the deepest possible unity. Through the Son, we are brought into communion with the Father. To make this sharing in the love of the Father and the Son possible, we receive the Holy Spirit. God has made us to be Temples of the Holy Spirit, the eternal Love flowing between the Father and the Son.