[TBC: The contemplative movement seeks to find spiritual illumination apart from the revealed Word of God in Scripture. As a result, medieval Catholic writers such as Brother Lawrence are looked to as a source for intimacy with God. Lawrence, however great his personal sacrifice, missed the basics of the Gospel, not realizing that it was Christ’s full and complete sacrifice that paid for our sins. As a Roman Catholic, to his death he retained the false idea that his own sufferings were efficacious and paid for his sins.]
"Prepared by such a life, Brother Lawrence saw death draw near without perturbation. His patience had been great indeed through all his life, but it waxed stronger [than] ever as he approached the end. He was never in the least fretful, when he was most wracked with pain; joy was manifest not only on his countenance, but still more in his speech, so much so in fact that those who visited him were constrained to ask whether he was not suffering. 'Forgive me,' he replied. 'Yes, I do suffer, the pains in my side sore trouble me, but my spirit is happy and well content.' They added, 'Suppose God will that you suffer for ten years, what then?' 'I would suffer, ' he answered, 'not for ten years only, but till the Day of Judgment, if it be God's will; and I would hope that He would continue to aid me with His grace to bear it joyfully.' His one desire was that he might suffer something for the love of God, for all his sins, and finding in his last illness a favorable occasion for suffering in this life, he embraced it heartily. Purposely he bade the brethren to turn him on to his right side; he knew that this position gave great pain, and therefore wished to remain therein to satisfy his burning desire to suffer..."
(Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, comments by Father Joseph de Beaufort, who compiled the book after Brother Lawrence died).
[TBC: Our biblical hope is so much greater. “ (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory” (Colossians:2:21-3:4).
