Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Way of Perfection - Discussion of Chapter 7 - St. Teresa of Avila






   ~       Discussion            ~    
         of Chapter  VII

    The Way of Perfection   
  

St. Teresa continues in Chapter 7 
     to describe this perfect spiritual love:

"this soul...desires is  to see the soul [it loves] enriched 
    with blessings from  Heaven. 

This love is a...copy of that which was borne for us by… Jesus".

St. Teresa advises us to cherish persons who are advanced 
    in love of God and neighbor:

            "Happy the souls 
                   that are loved by such as these!"

           "..to get to know God's friends  
                   is a very good way of 'having' Him".


 St. Teresa advises us how, with God's help, 
        to strive to grow in love:
     - "frequent confessions and communions" 

     - "we must always watch and pray, 
                 for there is no better way than prayer"
     - To look beyond 
                the physical sicknesses, pain, and trials of their friend 
           and pray not only for her relief,

        but also to pray that her sufferings 
                "are making  her richer in virtue"  

        "Ask God to give her patience 
                so that they may win her merit".
    - If we see faults in others, 
               "we must not judge others by ourselves"
       So they "in their turn, will bear with (our own) faults, 
              of which (we)  are not aware, 
              (and) must be much more numerous".

       We should "think of what we were like 
                 at the times when we have been weakest".

    - "If we, ourselves,  are no longer weak, 
          we should  reflect that,
               it is not due to our own efforts
          But that "the Lord has made us stronger than they"
   
          "For otherwise...the devil could easily 
               cool our charity toward our neighbours and 
               make us think 
                     that what is really a failing on our part, 
                                    is perfection".
   - To "commend to God any sister who is at fault and 

   - To strive for your own part 
             to practice the virtue 
        which is the opposite of her fault  
             with great perfection." 

        This good example may help more than words can.

              "that you may teach your sister 
                   by your deeds 
                what perhaps she could never learn 
                   by words nor gain by punishment

              "The habit of performing 
                   some conspicuously virtuous action 
             through seeing it performed by another 
                   is one which very easily takes root".
    

               "how true and genuine will be the love of a sister 
                    who can bring profit to everyone 
                 by sacrificing her own profit to that of the rest!"


   - To look at their virtues not their vices


   - It is also a very clear sign of love...also
      "To rejoice and give great praise to the Lord 
          if you see any increase in their virtues"

       St. Teresa describes the love that desires others 
           to repair faults and to advance in holiness:  
        as Saint Monica prayed  to God 
           and "prevailed with Him for Saint Augustine". 

   



      "If they see their friend… committing any faults, 
          they will speak to her about it…
        This, is a very heavy cross for her to bear."

        "it cannot be happy 
            unless it sees that its loved one 
          is making progress
                  


  - To assist others in their daily tasks and challenges

       "It is also a very clear sign of love

               to try to spare others household work 
         by taking it upon oneself".  



  - "If ...you should be cross with another… 
          the matter must at once be put right 
     and you must betake yourselves to earnest prayer".
      


   ~   End of Discussion   ~ 
         of Chapter  VII