Benedict says, "We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words,"
Let's stay with this for a little while!
I am reminded of a childhood memory: One of the windows in our play room at home looked out on our parish church, which was about 3 blocks away. I could sit at that window and look out at the church steeple. I remember that I always wanted to see the church. I felt a great desire stirring inside of me and a connection to God was created. As a child, I had no idea that I was engaging in prayer with an undivided heart, that I was filled with spiritual longing.
In chapter 19, Benedict reminds us, "We believe that the divine presence is everywhere..." My childhood experience prepared me for the Benedictine stance of experiencing God's presence.
What were your experiences of God's presence like?
Does your own Lectio Divina allow for God making God's presence known to you?