Chapter 6 Part 1 - The various ways that God is Present to us

 

NB: These extracts are taken from Louis de Ponte's Dux Spiritualis in the English translation published in 1932 

Chapter 6 - a Summary of the various ways that God is present to us

1st:  The first mode is common to all creatures in whom, as theologians say, God is by ESSENCE, PRESENCE and POWER [cf: s. Thomas, S. Th., I, Q. viii, art 2].

This first mode by which God is in all creatures is proper and natural to His Divinity on account of His immensity, wisdom, and omnipotence, for as long as creatures hold their being from Him. He must of necessity be in them, nor can he abandon them for a single moment or they would immediately cease to be. 

2nd The second mode by which God is present is common to all the just and to them alone; for he is in them by grace, charity, and the other infused virtues, which work together for their sanctification. 

This manner of presence is not granted to those who do not love; although, as soon as love enters their hearts, they begin to dwell in Him; not by any change in God, but the man receives new effects of grace which God operates in him. 

But when a just man falls into mortal sin, God withdraws from his soul, because he ceases to produce those effects of grace and charity which He formerly worked in him. 

3rd The third manner in which God dwells in men is when he bestows on them unusual graces and favours: when he illuminates the mind with a new light to understand some truth, or grants an increase of devotion or spiritual joy. 

Or again, when he assists him in his undertakings by a particular providence, directing and guiding him by His inspirations. In this sense, we are accustomed to see that God visits souls and dwells in them; that sometimes he retires, then returns; now he is present, now absent. 

4th Fourthly, there is another manner in which God is present to men, and that is by His most sacred Incarnation, on account of which He is called Emmanuel, which is interpreted God is with us [St Matthew i, 23], because he has conjoined our nature with His own and conversed with men [Baruch iii, 38] . 

5th Lastly, He will remain with us and dwell in us till the end of the world in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar, coming from Heaven to visit us, and making Himself, Jesus Christ, true God and true man under the sacramental species ... that we may enjoy his corporeal presence, hidden under these veils, and we may speak with him, discerning His presence very near to us indeed.