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Prázdné vztažené ruce, které jsou připraveny vše přijímat od Boha...

Další důležité rozlišení, které najdeme u Jana od Kříže, odpovídá na otázku, čím je »temná noc« jako nábožensko-duchovní fenomén v životě člověka způsobena. Jan v tomto ohledu rozlišuje mezi »temnotou« a »tmou«.

1 Kings 18:36–40

Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614–1691)

Graceful lady! (1)

I am very sorry for you. If you could leave the worries about your matters to Mr. and Mrs. N. and not have to deal with anything other than praying to our God, it would be a victory! He does not ask much from us: (only) that we think of Him from time to time, bow down to Him briefly, occasionally ask Him for His grace, that we offer Him our efforts, ...

and then thank Him for the graces He has shown you and which He will grant you even amidst your labors, so that you may rejoice in Him as often as you can. At mealtimes and during your conversations, raise your heart to Him from time to time: the smallest memory of Him is always very dear to Him. You do not need to shout loudly; He is closer to us than we think.

It is not necessary to always stay in church to be in God’s presence; we can make our heart a place of prayer, where we retreat from time to time to speak with Him in silence, in humility, and in love. Anyone is capable of these intimate conversations with God, some more, some less: He knows what we can do. Let us begin! Perhaps He expects nothing more from us than a generous decision. Be brave! After all, we have only a short time of life left: you are almost sixty-four and I am approaching eighty. Let us live and die (in communion) with God! Sufferings and struggles will be sweet and pleasant to us when we are with Him, and the greatest joys will seem like cruel punishment without Him. May He be praised for everything. Amen.

Therefore, gradually get used to honoring Him in this way, asking Him for His grace, occasionally offering your heart to Him throughout the day, during work, in every moment when you are able. Do not force yourself with a strict schedule of prayers or special devotions; pray with faith, love, and humility. You may assure Mr. and Mrs. N. and Miss N. with my poor prayers and that to them, as especially to you, I am a servant in the Lord.

Brother etc.

(1) This letter is addressed to a woman whose name we do not know and was written around the year 1689.

Excerpted from the book: Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Collected Works
Published by: Sr. Ancilla Karl OCD and P. Antonio Sagardoy OCD
In publishing house: CERF Paris, 1991
Translated and edited by: Norbert Žuška, OCarm.