. Discussion of CHAPTER 23 The Way of Perfection Describes: - the importance of not turning back when one has set out upon the way of prayer. - Repeats how necessary it is to be resolute. . |
St. Teresa explains some reasons why
perseverence in prayer is essential:
▲ "it is most important
that from the first
we should be very resolute"
"there are so many reasons...for this"
◊ God is continually giving his graces to us.
It is important
to be ever mindful of and grateful for this and
to continuously strive to dispose oneself
to graces through prayer
"One (reason) is that
when we decide to give anything
-- such as this slight effort
of recollection --
to Him
Who has given us so much, and
Who is continually giving,
it would be wrong for us
not to be entirely resolute in doing so"
St. Teresa reminds us
that usually we attend to God only briefly
throughout the day:
compared to the other things
on which we focus.
So, in that brief time in which we have
resolved to spend in prayer,
we should strive
to always reserve that time daily for God and
to concentrate on God without distractions
as much as possible.
"Since we have resolved
to devote to Him
this very brief period of time
--only a small part of what we spend
upon ourselves and
upon people
who are not particularly grateful
to us for it--"
"let us give it Him freely,
with our minds
unoccupied by other things and
entirely resolved
never to take it back again,
whatever we may suffer through
trials, annoyances or aridities"
"Let me
- realize that this time
is being lent me and
is not my own, and
- feel that I can rightly be called
to account for it
if I am not prepared to devote it
wholly to God".
She advises that one's prayer time
may be occasionally curtailed
by illness or responsibilities
But even just the intention to please God,
will greatly please God.
"if only we
raise our eyes to Heaven and
remember Him".
"I say 'wholly',
but we must not be considered
as taking it back
if we should fail to give it Him
for a day, or for a few days,
because of
legitimate occupations or
through some indisposition".
"Provided the intention remains firm,
my God is not in the least meticulous"
"if you are trying
to please Him in any way,
He will assuredly accept that
as your gift."
"for this Lord of ours will
- reckon everything we do
to our credit and
- accept everything
we want to give Him.
"however large the amount
we may owe Him,
it is a small thing for Him
to forgive us".
"And, as to paying us,
He is so careful about this
that you need have no fear
He will leave us without our reward
if only we
raise our eyes to Heaven and
remember Him".
◊ "A second reason
why we should be resolute is
that this will give the devil
less opportunity to tempt us".
"He is very much afraid of resolute souls,
knowing by experience
that they inflict great injury upon him,
and, when he plans to do them harm,
he...is himself the loser"
"if...anyone...be changeable, and
not resolute in doing what is good and
(not) firmly determined to persevere,
the (devil)
will not leave him alone...
will suggest to him
endless misgivings and difficulties".
◊ "Another reason ...is
that a resolute person fights more courageously
. ..because he
understands the importance of victory
and
knows that his very life depends
upon his gaining it".
"We must also be firmly convinced
from the start
that, if we
fight courageously and
do not allow ourselves to be beaten,
we shall get what we want…"
She advises all to be courageous, to persevere
in prayer, faith, and hope in God.
"Do not be afraid
that the Lord,
Who has called us
to drink of this spring,
will allow you to die of thirst
...for people are often timid
when they have not learned
by experience
of the Lord's goodness,
even though they know of it
by faith"
"It is a great thing
to have experienced
- what friendship and joy
He gives to those
who walk on this road and
- how He takes almost
the whole cost of it
upon Himself"
"But you already know
- that even in this life
we shall receive a hundredfold,
and
- that the Lord says:
"Ask and it shall be given you."
"for this journey has the advantage
of giving us very much
more than we ask or
(more) than we shall even get so far
as to desire".
| . End of Discussion of Chapter 23 The Way of Perfection . |
