The Way of Perfection - Discussion Of Chapter 14 - St. Teresa of Avila - Teresa of Jesus

Discussion of  Chapter  14   Treats of the great importance              of not professing anyone      whose spirit is contrary        to the things aforementioned.

Within St. Teresa' s discussion
    of discernment of  the vocation of novices,

  she teaches us many important principles:

◊  The importance of  having Good Intentions

     ▫▫▫ "the Lord bestows great help on anyone 
                who makes good resolutions"

     ▫▫▫ But  our good intentions 
             can be mingled with our own self-interest  or

             can even be largely based on 
                 "further(ing our) own interests"

  

    However, "the Lord can perfect 
            even this (selfish) intention 

      if she is a person of intelligence"

◊ The importance of  Intelligence 
        in the attaining of 
          Self-Knowledge, 

          Appreciation for Direction and Correction,  
          and Self-Improvement:

    This necessary intelligence 
          does not consist 
                of  the knowledge of  certain topics, 

                       such as,  "business matters and worldly conventions"
          or

               of  oratory skill and refinements, 
                      such as,  being "good at talking".

    Rather, it is 
            - the capacity for self-examination and 
            - the openness to "profitable advice".

   Otherwise, 
      "she will not understand 
                     her own reasons for (her actions)

       nor will she understand others 
                     who attempt...to improve her".

 □ Self-Knowledge:  

     Intelligence enables us 

            to observe ourselves and 

            to understand  the reasons for our actions. 

□ Appreciation for Direction and Correction:

    Intelligence enables one 
        to Understand those who desire to lead her 

             to progress along the spiritual path to God.

    By  their knowledge and experience, 
        they can see defects 

    which we can't see and 
        can advise us regarding their correction.

   "For...a person who has this fault (lacking intelligence) 

      always thinks she knows better  than the wisest 

         what is good for her; 

     and...this evil is incurable, 

        for it is rarely unaccompanied by malice."

     

 □ Self-Improvement:   
     Intelligence enables one 
           - to recognize what is the best course and 
           - to grow "fond of what is good, 

       for she sees  that it is the best thing for her";

      She will benefit and… 
             "make herself useful in many ways""

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End of Discussion of Chapter 14