The first part on this series was an emphasis on daily prayer as the foundation for hearing the voice of God. If you didn't get the chance to read it, I would highly encourage you to go back to the newsletter (or go to the blog if you are a premium member -- more on that below) and freshen up on part one.
This second part is about recollection.
I've had several of you ask, since mentioning this word on Instagram, what recollection is. Let us begin there. Recollection is to literally re-collect yourself, to collect or gather your faculties, your heart, and to place yourself in the presence of God. It is also referred to as "practicing the presence of God". It is noteworthy that the word practicing is used, since this spiritual exercise requires at least some active effort.
Recollection is a term that is used very often in monastic or contemplative life, but it is no less essential to us "out here" in the world, in our every day lives. Saint Faustina writes in her Diary (291):
"O my Jesus, how very easy it is to become holy; all that is needed is a bit of good will. If Jesus sees this little bit of good will in the soul, He hurries to give Himself to the soul, and nothing can stop Him, neither shortcomings nor falls - absolutely nothing. Jesus is anxious to help that soul, and if it is faithful to this grace from God, it can very soon attain the highest holiness possible for a creature here on earth. God is very generous and does not deny His grace to anyone. Indeed He gives more than what we ask of Him. Faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit - that is the shortest route."
The shortest route to holiness is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. But how do we hear the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and obey them if we don't even hear the Holy Spirit in our lives, if we aren't listening for Him, available to Him? Recollection does not mean seeing a vision of the Lord every time we "focus in". Recollection does means taking holy pauses in our day to make our minds, hearts, our whole person available to the Lord, to gaze on Him in faith, to place ourselves in His presence and in the truth of His love for us.
There, in the quiet moments of every day, ordinary life, we shall begin to see God, to hear God, to know His gentle stirrings and inspirations within us and moving in every part of our days. There, recollecting ourselves in His enveloping presence, we shall begin to realize we are never alone, that His intimacy accompanies us at every moment, in every circumstance.
Perhaps to begin, set an alarm on your watch or phone, or simply remember on the top of every hour to pause for a few seconds, maybe one minute. Pause, take a deep breath, and very simply open your heart in faith to God, become aware of His presence; or say one simple prayer such as, "Jesus, I open my heart to You. I give you my heart", or, "Come, Holy Spirit". Begin simply, and remain simple.
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