. Discussion of CHAPTER 37 The Way of Perfection Describes - the excellence of this prayer called the Paternoster, and - the many ways in which we shall find consolation in it. . |
St. Teresa teaches:
█ Why the Pater Noster
[The Our Father, The Lord's Prayer]
is an excellent prayer.
▲ "in the Paternoster
the Lord has taught us
■ the whole method
of prayer
and
of high contemplation,
from the very beginnings of mental prayer,
to Quiet and Union".
■ "in its few words are enshrined
all contemplation and perfection"
■ "if we study it
no other book seems necessary"
■ "With so true a foundation to build upon,
I could write a great book on prayer"
■ The Our Father is the perfect prayer because:
- It was taught by Jesus
- who allows us to
• address God as our own Father
and
• share with Him as
"brothers of such a Brother".
The Our Father contains
the complete Gospel message.
It includes (among many petitions)
Love of God,
Following God's will,
Love of others, and
Forgiveness of others.
As St. Teresa said,
it teaches the way to progress
in virtue and prayer.
▲ "this prayer was meant to be
▪ a general one
▪ for the use of all,
■ so that everyone could
- interpret it as he thought right,
- ask for what he wanted
and
- find comfort in doing so"
It answers all our individual needs;
no matter -
who is praying
or
when they are praying
or
what circumstances,
■ "So well composed
by the good Master was it,...
that each of us may use it
in her own way.
■ St. Teresa gives exampes of
interpreting or petitioning Our Father
- in different ways
- for different but "just and right" help.
◘ Petitioning for bodily needs
- "Those who
still live on earth, and
must conform to the customs of their state,
may also ask for the bread
which they need
for their own maintenance
and
for that of their households,
as is perfectly just and right,
and
they may also ask for other things
according as they need them
◘ Petitioning for spiritual graces:
- "contemplatives,
who no longer desire earthly things,
and
and
- persons
(who are) greatly devoted to God,
(who are) greatly devoted to God,
can ask for the heavenly favours
which, through the great
goodness of God,
may be given to us on earth"
█ Regarding praying
the Our Father's petitions for spiritual graces:
the Our Father's petitions for spiritual graces:
♦ "Our Father
♦ Who art in Heaven
♦ Hallowed be Thy Name"
"The good Jesus...
- has taught us
a sublime method of prayer,
and
- begged that, in this our life of exile,
we may be like the angels,
if we endeavour, with our whole might,
◦ to make our actions conform
to our words
-- in short - (in other words)
◦ to be like
the children of such a Father,
and
the brethren of such a Brother".
♦ "Thy Kingdom come"
♦ "Thy will be done
on earth
as it is in heaven"
♦ "Give us this day,
our daily bread"
our daily bread"
"His Majesty knows that
if...our actions and our words are one,
the Lord will unfailingly
- fulfil our petitions,
- give us His kingdom
and
- help us by means
of supernatural gifts,
such as
the Prayer of Quiet,
perfect contemplation
and
all the other favours
which the Lord bestows
on our trifling efforts"
"They will derive the greatest hope
of His Majesty's pleasure
from the effects which He produces
in their souls"
Those "who are on the way to perfection,
do not and cannot fear,
for
...they have trampled the world
beneath their feet,
and
the Lord of the world
is pleased with them".
"This is the greatest blessing
that the spiritual soul still on earth
can desire,
because it brings complete security".
♦ "Forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors"
"It must be realized, however,
that these two things--
▪ surrendering our will to God
and
▪ forgiving others --
apply to all.
In referencing this petition,
St. Teresa prays:
"For His sake I entreat the Eternal Father
to forgive my debts and grievous sins:
though
no one has wronged me,
and
I have therefore no one to forgive,
I have myself need...forgiveness every day."
♦ "And lead us not, Lord,
into temptation,
but deliver us from evil."
"The Lord, then, saw
it was necessary... to remind them
that they have enemies,
and
how much greater danger they are in
if they are unprepared,
So, lest they should
- fail to realize their danger
and
- suffer deception,
He offers these petitions
so necessary to us all
while we live in this exile:
█ St. Teresa offers encouragement and advice:
▲ "....everything...we can achieve and gain
by ourselves alone...is trifling
but " the Lord bestows...favors (and graces)
on our trifling efforts"
"For our own part...
we will do what we can,
and
the Lord will accept it all".
"It is certain
that He, for His own part,
will not fail us.
▲ Intention and Resolution is important:
(not quantity or busyness of prayer)
"We may say this prayer only once,
and
yet in such a way
that He will know
that there is no duplicity about us
and
that we shall do what we say
['if...our actions and our words
are one' ]
[ ' to make our actions conform
to our words' ]
and so He will leave us rich.
We must never be insincere with Him,
for in all our dealings with Him,
He loves us
- to be honest, and
- to treat Him frankly and openly,
- never saying one thing
and meaning another; and
then He will always give us more
than we ask for".
" May He give me grace
so that every day
I may have some petition
to lay before Him"
___________________
| . End of Discussion of Chapter 37 The Way of Perfection . |
