Inertia. Coldness. Confusion.
Thomas speaks of these as we all experience them at some point (or many points) in our prayer life. What do we do when faced with these empty spaces, these times when nothing seems to matter and nothing gains traction?
He warns that this might be a time when we have separated our prayer life, our ascetic life, from the rest of our existence. This is folly and “bad theology.”
“Meditation has no point and no reality unless it is firmly rooted in life.” We will fail to move forward in an ascetic journey if we cleave the two parts.
Another error is blaming ourselves when we “feel” separated from God. There will be moments and times of elevation; there will be moment and times of “the night of the senses.”
He warns against discouragement and helplessness. We must not rely upon feelings for fulfillment as they are immature. Instead, during those times of night in the soul, we are to remain faithful and remember that God has given us the Spirit who will intercede for us with words and groans that we cannot utter (Romans 8:11-27).
“Our efforts…are directed to an obedient and opperative submission to grace…which implies our receptiveness to the hidden action of the Holy Spirit.”
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