St. Augustine - "If you call on God"
man calls on God that he not may put to confusion.
Is it so that the adultery he intends may come off? That someone he hopes to
inherit from may die? That a piece of sharp practice may succeed? This is not
to call on God, but on one’s own evil desires.
To call on God is
to invite Him into your heart: but will you dare to invite so great a Father
when you have no dwelling fit for Him? Your heart is full of evil desires, and
yet you invite Him in.
If you call on
God, let it not be to ask for anything. For when you call upon God for aid the
call you make is for Him to come into yourself. What place is there into which
your Lord and God can come, what place fit for the God who made heaven and
earth? Is it a small thing that God Himself should fill you?
If He comes without silver and gold, do you not want
Him? Which of the things He has made can satisfy you, if God Himself does
not?
St. Augustine, Psalm
30.III. 4; Sermon on New Testament
105. 3.4; Source: Migne Paologia Latina)
