BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

St. Anselm of Canterbury (c.1033–1109) wrote, “Flee for a while from your tasks; hide yourself for a little space from the turmoil of your thoughts. Come, cast aside your burdensome cares, and put aside your laborious pursuits. For a little while give your time to God, and rest in him for a little while. Enter into the inner chamber of your mind, shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.”

It is no simple task to ‘enter into the inner chamber of our mind and shut out all things except God.’ We may tell ourselves we do this while driving to work, in the shower, listening to music, or whatever. But if we are to ‘bar the door of our chamber’ and be alone with the Father it might take another step in purposefulness. It might mean finding real solitude, silence and a special quiet place to seek only the Lord without distraction. Even for a short while we must remove ourselves from our phones and gadgets and ‘hide our self for a little space from the turmoil of our thoughts.’

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Jesus