Brother Lawrence
By David Weber
Brother Lawrence
The Practice Of The Presence Of God
Brother Lawrence was born Nicholas Herman in 1611 - in France.
At 18, he saw a barren tree in the middle of winter stripped of leaves and fruit. He contemplated this tree and its transformation in the coming spring. At this point, a transformation of his soul occurred.
“At that moment he saw clearly the Providence and Power of God.”
He was awakened to the diving presence of God - and this stayed with him for the rest of his life.
He went on to a life of service and entered a monastery in Paris taking on the name of Brother Lawrence.
He took on a job of service within the monastery - but developed the practice of living always in conscious awareness of God.
He developed a reputation for practical wisdom. And this attracted many visitors from outside the monastery.
The archbishop of Paris became friends with Brother Lawrence and compile notes on his conversations, letters written by him and his Spiritual Maxims. (These were found in his room after his death).
In 1693, Monsignor Joseph de Beaufort published a book containing the information he compiled.
Here are some key points that I have underlined:
“He said that we should establish ourselves in God’s presence by continually communicating with him. It is shameful to abandon this divine communication to occupy our minds with trivial matters. We should feed and nourish our souls with high thoughts of God, which yield us great joy in devotion to Him.”
“We should seek our satisfaction only in fulfilling His will, whether that leads to suffering or comfort.”
“He resolved to make the love of God the goal of all his actions.”
“After a while we find that His love inwardly inspires us to do all things for Him effortlessly.”
“He said that we ought to relate to God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs as they happen. In his experience, God never failed to grant help.”
“Useless thoughts spoil everything,” he said. All trouble began there. We ought to let go of such thoughts as soon as we are aware of them. They are worthless to either life or salvation. We should return quickly to our communion with God.”
“When it was time to do something, he looked to God. He could see see clearly , as if he were looking into a perfect mirror, exactly what God wanted him to do.”
“He said that perfect surrender to God was a sure way to Heaven, and in this surrender we always had sufficient light for our conduct.”
“God never fails to offer us His grace for every occasion.”
“Our sanctification does not depend upon changing what we do, but in doing for God’s sake what we normally do for our own sake.”
“The whole substance of religion is faith, hope, and love. By the practice of these we become united to the will of God.”
“My soul, which until this time had been troubled, felt a profound inner peace. It was as if my soul had found its centre and place of rest.”
“I try diligently to do nothing and think nothing which may displease him.”
“Let us remember often that our only purpose in this life is to please God. Everything else is folly and vanity.”
“Mediate on Him often.”
“Be courageous. Offer your pain continually to God. Pray to Him for the strength to endure...adore him in your illness. Offer yourself to him repeatedly.”
“He is within us; do not seek him elsewhere.”
