Popular lyrics and contemporary Christian song notwithstanding (Hillsong United,From The Inside Out) – it was St Francis de Sales(1567-1622) who encouraged conversion from the interior to the exterior.
As he wrote in the Introduction to the Devout Life: “As for myself, I cannot approve the method of those who try to reform a man by beginning with outward things, such as his bearing, dress or hair. On the contrary, it seems to me that we ought to begin inside him.
“Be converted to me with your whole heart: God said(Joel 2:12) . “My son, give me your heart.” (Prov 23:26)
Since the heart is the source of all our actions, as the heart is so are they. When the Divine Spouse invites the soul, he says, “ Put me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm.” (Cant. 8:6)Yes, for whoever has Jesus Christ in his heart will soon have him in all his outward ways.
Yet even the heart, where we wish to begin, must be instructed as to how it should model its outward conduct and bearing so that by them we can see not only holy devotion but also great wisdom and prudence. For this purpose I will give you in summary fashion the following words of advice.” (IDL, Ryan, Pt.3, 23,p 184, adapted)
Appropriating our Blessed Founders’ words, we are going to lead those interested in discerning a Visitation Vocation from the “inside out”, following the advice of St. Francis de Sales given in his Spiritual Directory. The Spiritual Directory guides a Visitandine’s outward actions by giving them a deep interior, spiritual motivation, which is simple to follow.
We will guide you to test the appeal of this Visitandine way in your heart and soul, using one of the primary chapters of the Directory, on the Direction of Intention. If this series moves you, please be motivated to contact a Vocation Director from any of our Monasteries, or contact me here to help you continue your discernment of a Visitandine, monastic vocation.
First Day: How to make progress in your discernment
Those who wish to prosper and make progress in the way of Our Lord must at the beginning of all their actions both interior and exterior ask for His grace, and offer to His Divine Goodness whatever good they may do.(article 3, Spiritual Directory, adapted)
Reflection: Our Savior Jesus Christ desires to pour out His Divine Life upon us. He is prepared to give us great graces at any moment. He desires to give us graces which would make us saints. How far we should go in the spiritual life if we followed the light of every grace we receive! This should be our sole endeavor and our chief object in life.
The way of the Lord- that is Our Savior Himself, who says, “I am the Way”.
It is also the road our God has traced by which we may go with the utmost straightness to Him. It is the will of God for us.
This holy habit of offering all our actions to God, asking for His grace, is the quickest and easiest road for arriving in a short time at perfection ( Reflection by Mother Marie Madeleine Ponnet)
It will help us arrive at the knowledge of our vocation.
Embark on it as you offer all your moments of discernment to the Lord, asking for His grace.
Please feel welcome to try this spiritual exercise and comment on how it affects your life.
You may also use the contact tab on this website.
Come join us Sunday March 18th in the Chatroom to explore it further. The next posting on this topic will follow our chats, on Monday March 19th.