Carmelite Brother Lawrence was known as a man with a deep relationship with God. "He was a man of humble origin, and he stayed humble and simple all his life," writes his biographer, Jean Maalouf. "Indeed, his outwardly life was unremarkable… He did not seem to have to have had an advanced formal education. He did not hear voices, perform miracles, found a new community, build a system of thought, or have prestige, high, power, or wealth. He was not interested in titles, labels, and worldly things…" Brother Lawrence simply loved God in a most profound way. His life attests that God is present in the most commonplace of circumstances of everyday life and that the union with God – the very deepest desire of God – the deepest desire of all – is possible and available for everyone to reach. Born in 1611, Brother Lawrence was named Nicholas Herman in French Lorraine. He served for a short time in the army and then as the footman of Monsieur de Fieubet, a government official. He disliked the tasks and was by his own admission "a clumsy oaf who broke everything." According to Maalouf’s biography of Brother Lawrence, "Practicing the Presence of the Living God: A Retreat with Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection," Nicholas Herman "entered the Carmelite Order at the monastery at Rue Vaugirard in Paris. This is the order that gave to the Church and the world giants such as John of the Cross, St, Teresa of Avila, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus – all three doctors of the Church – and many others." Brother Lawrence insisted that he developed his own methods of mental prayer, and those periods were no different for him than other times, even those spent cleaning the monastery kitchen or preparing the food. Many sought spiritual guidance from him, and after he died his wisdom was written in a book, "The Practice of the Presence of God." Brother Lawrence knew a great deal of pain and suffering in his 80 years of life. He was badly injured in the war. He seemed to have one of his legs permanently crippled, and he continuously suffered pain and complications. Despite this, he never complained, even though his job in the monastery kitchen required him to be on his feet standing and moving around for hours. "Practicing the Presence of the Living God, A Retreat with Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection" is a little book that can be read in two or three days. It is divided into seven days – one week of prayer. If followed for two or three weeks, it renders time and again the careful prayer and devotion for which Brother Lawrence is still famous more than 300 years later. On Day One, "I Will Give You Rest: Where Do You find the Solution for your loneliness, worries and unrest?" Brother Lawrence brings peace to the reader. His invitation insists that, "Our loving God is always in our midst. At the beginning of this spiritual journey let us feel God’s presence in a special way." From Psalm 55:22, Brother Lawrence quotes, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you." At the end of each day Brother Lawrence offers personal considerations, affirmations and closing prayers that can be very personal and reflective of what has become before. Day Four offers readers "God’s Policy and our Response: Total Involvement." This asks each reader if he or she has a reciprocal relationship with God. It involves a deep and honest examination of conscience and offers the reader suggestions as to how to complete an open relationship with God. I found this chapter very challenging as it calls the reader to sincerely spend time with God, to open oneself to deep prayer and bring the reader closer to himself or herself to help others in a Christ-like way. This book would make a lovely gift all year long.
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