. Discussion of CHAPTER 21 Describes the great importance - of setting out upon the practice of prayer with firm resolution and - of heeding no difficulties put in the way by the devil. . |
█ St. Teresa talks about
- "this Divine journey"
- "the royal road to Heaven"
- the road is prayer
- "their goal...is the place...of this water of life.
"let none mislead you
by showing you any other road
than that of prayer.
I am not now discussing
whether or no everyone must practise
mental or vocal prayer;
but I do say
that you yourselves require both".
"By taking this road
we gain such precious treasures"
"...if the cost seems to us a high one...
all we have paid has been
nothing at all
by comparison
with the greatness of our prize".
Yet, as troublesome as this road is,
with its trials and sorrows,
it is the only really safe road,
"the safe road trodden
by our King and
by His elect and His saints"
"for we must all journey to this fountain,...
whether we will or no
though we may not all do so
in the same way."
St. Teresa urges that one
- start out soundly
"...they should begin well"
- earnestly with "determined determination"
never to cease striving toward God
despite obstacles and problems
"by making an earnest and
most determined resolve" [78]
not to halt until they reach their goal
whatever may come,
whatever may happen to them"
"believe only those
whom you see modelling their lives
on the life of Christ".
"Endeavour always to
have a good conscience;
practise humility;
despise all worldly things; and
believe firmly in the teaching
of our Holy Mother [the Roman] Church.
You may then be quite sure
that you are on a [very] good road".
▲ Misunderstanding of the term, '"mental prayer":
St. Teresa explains that
there is a misunderstanding
regarding mental prayer.
All prayer consists of mental prayer,
since the thoughts and emotions,
as well as, the voice
are directed to God.
"people will say to us:...
It is dangerous...
It is quite enough for them to say
their Pater Noster and Ave Maria."
Regarding the Pater Noster, she explains
that this is not just "vocal prayer",
although it is often prayed out loud.
During this prayer,
the mind and heart is raised to God.
"With this last remark, sisters,
I quite agree.
Of course it is enough!
It is always a great thing
to base your prayer
on prayers which were uttered
by the very lips of the Lord"
"If they tell you
that you should practise
only vocal prayer,
ask whether your mind and heart
ought not to be in what you say"
"that you are bound
to practise mental prayer,
and even contemplation,
if God should grant it you.
To her Carmelite family, she says:
"- that you have a Rule
which commands you, as it does,
to pray without ceasing, and
- that that rule you must keep".
▲ Fear of the practice of mental prayer:
St. Teresa speaks against the fear of
quiet meditative prayer.
She explains that it is more dangerous to
expect to withstand temptations
without this prayer,
because this prayer disposes one
to graces and virtue.
"It will be dangerous for you
if you do not possess
humility and the other virtues"
"what will be the dangers encountered
by those who think they will be able
to gain this treasure and
yet are not on the road to it?...
How do you suppose they can do
without a drop of this water and
yet travel along a road on which
there are so many adversaries to fight?
Of course, sooner or later,
they will die of thirst"
"This fear seems to have been invented
by the devil,
who has apparently been very clever
in bringing about the fall of some (...few...)
who practise prayer"
While "thousands...have fallen into
heresies and
other great evils
through
yielding to distractions and
not practising prayer"
"I have never heard of
such a wicked invention;
it must indeed come from the devil"
"Let those
who make use of this pretext
to absolve themselves
from such practices
take heed"
"for in order to save themselves from evil
they are fleeing from good".
█ Regarding books, as aids to prayer:
▲ St. Teresa said that books, such as the Gospels,
can be an aid
in meditation and
in recollection.
"They cannot take books from you, and,
if you are studious and humble,
you need nothing more"
"I...have found more recollection in
....the words of the Gospels and
than in the most carefully planned books"
▲Occasionally, books on prayer methods can help
those who have difficulties during prayer
with distraction and
in quieting the mind.
"I am speaking to souls
who are unable to recollect themselves
by meditating upon other mysteries,
and
who think they need special methods
of prayer;
▲Perhaps, also, books can help inspire those
who by their own weakness
lack perseverence and devoutedness
in prayer or
became negligent or dispirited.
"were it not for
- our great weakness and
- the lukewarmness of our devotion,
there would be no need
for any other systems of prayer
or
for any other books at all".
But, she stresses the need to strive for humility.
She has also already advocated prayer,
detachment, and spiritual guidance
from a Confessor or Director
(in previous chapters)
rather than relying on "many books" alone:
"for sometimes,
when we are most anxious
to nurture our devotion,
consulting a great many books
will kill it.
█ Regarding God's merciful providence,
St. Teresa stated:
"There is one great blessing--
you will always find a few people
ready to help you...
God raises up someone to
open their eyes and
bid them look at the fog with which
the devil has obscured their path".
"When a master is himself
giving a lesson,
he
- treats his pupil kindly and
- likes him to enjoy being taught and
- does his utmost to help him learn.
Just so will this heavenly Master
do with us".
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. Foot Notes: [78] Lit.: "determined determination" . |
| . End of Discussion of Chapter 21 The Way of Perfection . |
