Value of Daily Meditation
I make every day the holy meditation on the material proper to the time … I always obtain the fruit … that makes it possible for me to raise my heart to the love of God. [As a result] I am able to rise above myself and the world. (OOCC, XI, p. 65)
St. Vincent Pallotti considered meditation to be the most significant form of prayer. It is a means to enlighten a person’s mind. In doing so, it opens his mind to God and helps him to pray well. Meditation, by giving a person a deep insight into his spiritual state, helps him to eradicate his faults, make progress in the practice of virtues, and grow in the love of God and neighbor. Thus, meditation purifies a person from his selfishness, orients him to his own true welfare and that of his neighbor, and helps him to work for the glory of God. When a person enters into meditation, it can give him valuable insights into the Person of Jesus, and lead him to a communion and a dialogue with Jesus. St. Vincent was very flexible in the practice of meditation. He advised his followers to use any aid that helped a person to do his meditation well. For him, the method of mental prayer consists of choosing that which a person finds easier and fruitful. He even suggested the reading of a book during the time of meditation if a person’s thoughts fail him and he is not able to concentrate. For St. Vincent, the most valuable topic of meditation was the passion and death of Jesus. It helped him to identify his sufferings with that of Jesus. Besides, it incited the affections of his heart, filled his heart with compassion, sympathy, and sorrow, and helped him to respond to God with greater fervor.
Do I recognize the value of meditation in my spiritual life? Do I fruitfully practice my daily meditation? Do I profit from the time I spend in meditation? How do I do my meditation? Am I flexible and use methods that help me to encounter God through my meditation? Which is the most valuable topic I would like to meditate on?
Finally, Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious … think about these things. (Phil. 4: 8)