Chapter 4.4b - The two (2) Temples - Twofold preparation for prayer

Extracts from the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis de Ponte SJ

Chapter 4.4b - The two (2) Temples  - Twofold preparation for prayer

If thou wert to enter into the temple, says St Augustine [In psalmos xxxiii, cont. 2.], desiring to pray, and should it find it ill-prepared, dirty, uncared for...and shouldst hear a great hubbub of bargaining and people going to and fro, straightway thou wouldst go out again; for it would be impossible to pray as thou desirest. 

But if the building be clean, well-furnished, quiet and adorned with holy images: all this will invite thee to pray and even to protract thy prayer.

If then the temple of thy heart be unclean

    by reason of sin,

    rent by passion,

    or disturbed by base and vain imaginations 

how canst thou pray or remain a moment in it? 

Cleanse first the temple of thy heart, adorn and pacify it: then, the very purity of thy heart, he says, shall delight thee and invite thee to pray, and like, David, to walk in the innocence of thy heart [cf Psalm c, 2.]. thou shalt be delighted in the midst of thy house and with great joy enter into it to pray.

Prayer

Most sweet Saviour, who with great zeal didst cast out of the temple [cf St John ii, 15] those who profaned it with their merchandise because it was the house of prayer [St Matthew xxi, 13], and merited to be cleansed from all this defilement: 

Cast out of the temple of my heart all that disturbs it and adorn it with the gifts of thy grace, that I may be worthy to enter it, there to pray and converse lovingly with Thee.