Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/1521

1521 Hour of inner contemplation....

July 14, 1940: Book 25

Inner reflection must precede every transformation of the being. The human being has to subject himself and his actions to frequent scrutiny, he has to examine all his tasks and criticize to what extent he fulfils the divine requirements. This self-observation will also allow him to regocnize his shortcomings, and if he is serious about his soul's work, it will spur him on to make himself ever more perfect. Inner contemplation is a certain control that applies to both his thoughts and his actions. If he relentlessly criticizes himself, he will also regocnize his unworthiness to enter into close contact with his creator, and in humble prayer he will ask God for mercy and grace, and thus he will gain new strength to work on himself. For man could never reach perfection on his own, as his strength is too small without God's help. But this is assured to him, so that God only demands of man that he asks for the favour due to him as a concession that man longs for God. If the human being now often looks at himself and his life in the sense of the soul's higher development, he will also regocnize the distance between himself and God. He will endeavour to reduce it and, if he lacks the strength to do so, will request it from God. And only in this way will he progress on the path of higher development. Only in this way is it possible to come into ever closer contact with the heavenly father, for he will soon no longer go any way without having asked Him for His blessing and His strength, and he will now truly establish the relationship of child to father, which will then also result in an extraordinary gift of strength. And therefore God demands of you that you always give an account to yourselves of how your life on earth is.... that you do not walk along thoughtlessly and without a sense of responsibility but always bear your soul in mind. He wants you not to forget Him in all your earthly activity, that you always find time to cultivate the spiritual within you.... He wants you not only to think of the body but also to give the soul an hour of leisure which belongs to the shaping of your soul.... an hour of leisure which brings you into contact with your lord and saviour, in which you gather treasures for eternity. He wants you then to seriously consider with yourselves whose welfare is more important to you, the welfare of the body or the welfare of the soul. And if you still think too eagerly of the body, you should ask for strength to be able to live and mould yourselves according to divine will. And the hour of inner contemplation will be beneficial for the salvation of your soul, for you will receive strength for new endeavours....

Amen