Eu cito

We must drink from the spring to quench our thirst; sipping only makes us more thirsty. Similarly, if we wish to think, write and live like prophets, the apostles and the saints, we must abandon ourselves, like them, to God's purpose for us. O mystery of love! We imagine that miracles are over, and that all we can do now is to copy your works of old and repeat your ancient words! We do not see that your continuing operation is an everlasting source of fresh ideas, fresh suffering and action, of new prophets, patriarchs, apostles and saints who have no need to follow in each other's footsteps, but live in a continuing abandonment to your secret intentions. (...) We long for the opportunity to die for God, and to live heroically. To lose all, to die forsaken, to sacrifice ourselves for others; such notions enchant us. But I, heavenly Father, will worship and glorify your purpose, finding in it all the joy of martyrdom, self-sacrifice and duty to my neighbour. This is ...

What, then, is this duty which for each one of us is the very essence of our perfection? It is twofold: a general obligation which God imposes on all mankind; and specific obligations which he prescribes for each individual. God involves each one in different circumstances in which to carry out our purpose. He binds us to his love and influences our purpose so that it may become the object of his grace, showing his mercy by asking from each one no more than he is able to give.

Without God there can be no order anywhere. How long, then, shall we continue to concern ourselves with our own liberty or our own capacity to suffer the trials and tribulations of the present moment? When will God be all in all to us? Let us see things in their true light and rise above them to live purely in God himself.

The second, and perhaps even more striking phrase, 'The sacrament of the present moment', requires us to do our duty whatever it may be, a carrying out of God's purpose for us, not only this day, or this hour, but this minute, this very minute - now. This is the way we can all strive strive for spiritual perfection in so far as it is available in this life. Pious saint and humble sinner alike will be given the grace to enable them to do so if they truly long for it. (...) And yet his [de Caussade's] doctrine still has a relevant message today for thos who find life purposeless in a society abandoned to the fantasies and arrogance of the pursuit of hapiness which so quickly becomes a pursuit of pleasure; in which suffering, mental or physical, must be drugged out of existence; in which there is no place for the Cross in Christianity. Those whe are ready to believe in God will find confort and hope in the quest for perfection through surrendering themselves to his wi...