As François Fénelon looked around at the war-weary condition of his fellow believers, he wondered if they could answer the question, “What is God asking of you?” If they didn’t know, he had an answer for them; remember, “God has not forgotten you.”

Fénelon then wrote down these words: What does God ask of you, but to be joyful? Have you not realized that we rejoice when loving Him? Have you not felt that there is no other real enjoyment, whatever excitement may be found in pleasures apart from Him? Since you know where to find the Fountain of Life and once drank of it, why would you seek a smelly, moldy earthy cistern? When will those days return, those bright, happy days, lighten by the soft rays of loving mercy?

Do whatever you want, only love God, and let His revived love in your heart, be your guide. Your ears are not yet closed to the sublime language of truth; your heart is made to feel its charms. “Taste and see the pleasant bread daily spread for us at our Father’s table.”[1] With such support, who can fear that anything else will be lacking?

I know what it is to be weak; 1 am a thousand times more vulnerable than you. It is of great benefit when we realize what we are. And add to that, who does not experience being estranged from the very means of strength? It is an inescapable part of our human nature. Just listen inwardly to Him and feel strongly repulsed by anything despicable.

Written over 450 years ago

Vocabulary redacted by Dr. Robert R Seyda

[1] Psalm 34:8