We cannot be peaceful if we are restless, full of anxieties about sins, weaknesses, the future, friends, everything. By contrast, the Gospel invites us to have a certain lightheartedness, a lightheartedness quite properly scandalous in the eyes of practical people, sufficient in themselves, accustomed to anticipating the future, planning for every eventuality.
We must forget the past and not disquiet ourselves over what may happen; we must live uniquely in each present moment, because the present alone has reality. We so easily risk losing the present reality for the sake of reminiscences of a past that no longer exists and in daydreams about ephemeral desires in a future that does not yet exist. To be in God, to live in God: this is being, living in reality, in the present moment because in God there is neither past nor future but only an eternal present, full of being and joy.
Give us today our daily bread. May your kingdom come.
ANONYMOUS CARTHUSIAN The Way of Silent Love
