Course XVI - Teaching 9: Divine Presence
The one that some time was visited by the Divine Master and gave ear to His Voice, never can forget it.
He desires continuously to be in His presence and to talk to Him in order to understand Him and love Him every time better. In his new detached life, the disciple finds so precious treasure that is afraid of losing every instant. So, he would wish to stay always there, in the cell of his heart, by the Divine Presence, listening to the Master’s Voice. But not always he is able to hear it.
So, he feels sad and claims:
“Where are you, Master of mine? Why do you go away from me? Why do you leave me in this vale of tears and misery? When can I break these deadly ties and stay with You forever?”
“My life is death, and my greatest torment and hell is to be far away from you. Why should I do things of no interest to me, that only drive me away from You?”
“Break my chains, undo my ties, and let me fly!”
And a light emerges amid this damp and heavy atmosphere of rooms, offices and streets. It is Him, it is the Master, who always and everywhere responds to the call of His beloved soul:
“I am so pleased, you remember me during your working hours; you raise your soul to Me! You must do this always; never permit to be entirely absorbed by your work. Raise many times your thought. Your thought should be a short prayer piercing the shadow like a luminous ray. So, come back continuously from heaven to earth, and leave light wherever you go.”
“Also I would wish to have you at My side, but it is not time to it. Even do not feel you would reach this yearned union at death. Physical death is of no use to unite us; another long and sorrowful barrier would separate us. When your time comes, I shall come to you and by taking your mystical hands, you shall dwell with Me eternally in the Father’s bosom.”
Go on to work; beautify this mud; its hatred never must touch you. Reflect this good you have grasped; but do not forget: come back many times to your thought about Me.”
Remember: You should bear both unpleasant and tough hours with courage. This is important: never cease to pray; pray always.”
“When you cannot be in My Divine Presence, do not be afraid and call, implore and knock ceaselessly on the Sacred Gate. Sometimes I do not open it, just to test you; but always, after shadow and dryness, I shall let you in the tabernacle of my Divine Heart.”
So, comforted by the Eternal Teaching, the disciple strives for kneading his daily bread, along with the human and just “sweat in his brow”, that is to say, the lofty blessing of his still, silent and deep message of divine love.
This choice is Divine; the sorrowful heart of the Son shall be transformed through sacrifice into a luminous Standard of very pure love. This love shall guide ideally men around him in different ways in order to improve life, health, beauty and intimate understanding.
