Where are you on the path: Purgative Way → Active purification of the senses → Spiritual age 5
What happens in the soul?
The look becomes finer.
It is no longer enough to abandon what clearly causes harm. The soul also begins to recognize the small behaviors that, although they may seem unimportant, distance it from the simplicity and purity of life that it wishes to achieve.
There then appears a firmer and more persevering decision to correct oneself, not only in serious matters, but also in small matters.
The action of the Good Lord
Grace refines the conscience.
Things that were barely noticed before are now beginning to be recognized. Not so that the soul lives in anguish, but to make it more free, simple and transparent before God.
How does the soul respond?
Try to correct what you discover.
Learn to ask for forgiveness more easily, watch your words and actions, and begin to make concrete resolutions to live better.
The transformation becomes more delicate: it is no longer just a matter of abandoning major disorders, but of allowing God to also enter into the small things of daily life.
The prayer
The previous forms of prayer continue. Discursive prayer develops, in which the soul actively uses understanding to dialogue with God, reflect and draw specific purposes.
Moments of meditative prayer can also begin, in which a truth of faith, a mystery of Christ or a spiritual experience is lovingly contemplated to allow it to transform one’s life.
Signs that may accompany this age
• Greater sensitivity to small errors.
• Specific purposes for change.
• Desire to live simply.
• Greater care with words, behaviors and decisions.
• More reflective and personal prayer.
A phrase to remember
“Even in small things I want to please God.”
Where does it lead
After having begun to order our external life and combat disordered habits, an experience can come that deeply strengthens this entire struggle: the personal certainty that God exists and loves the soul. Thus we enter FIDES.