In the mind of Saint John Cassian, anger and sadness are two principal preventatives of prayer: “The disturbance caused by anger or sadness is, above all things, to be eliminated at its sources.” (Conferences 9.3) The reason for such emphasis is simple. Both anger and sadness represent a refusal on our part to accept a situation that God’s providence has allowed to develop. Whether our reaction is manic or depressive, we are expressing a lack of faith that in some way the present crisis is a gift from God, designed for our ultimate good. Taken far enough, even the most “innocent” annoyance becomes a doubt about God’s love for us. Cassian says, when giving a commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, ” Nobody is able to say this prayer sincerely who does not believe that God’s providence intends every situation, be it congenial or not, for our good.”(Conferences 9.20)
Michael Casey
Toward God, p. 108
