Wisdom of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney

"With the awareness that God sees me, we should be always able to avoid sin."

--Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, from a Sermon recorded in The Spirit of the Curé of Ars, by the Reverend Father Alfred Monnin.

Here the Saint alludes to the "practice of the presence of God" (Brother Lawrence), by which we can ever be aware that "nothing is hidden that will not be revealed," as our Lord said. That is to say, He is ever aware of us at every moment, holding us in existence and offering us grace to think, speak, and act as His faithful, loving, and obedient children. In a similar way, when you set your young children to a task, you watch over them to some extent (depending on age), allowing them to do it but aware of how it is being done.

Certainly, if we can train men in the special forces to form "situational awareness" at all times, how can we not admit that we each can form and cultivate in ourselves this same awareness that "God sees me," that is, that He is ever at my side, ever ready to assist, and ever demanding from me my willing cooperation, love, and fidelity with His holy will for my salvation?

- Fr D.B. Thompson