.
- how, by striving always to walk in the Love and Fear of God, amid all these temptations. . |
█ St. Teresa teaches that one should
- pray for
and
- strive to cultivate
the two great virtues:
Love of God
and
Fear of the Lord
in order to proceed daily toward God.
"The best way
that we can...travel safely
amid all these temptations...
is to use the Love and Fear
given us by His Majesty."
"if we have these two things
we shall certainly not be deceived".
"These are two strong castles
whence we can wage war
on the world
and
on the devils".
"For love will make us
quicken our steps,
While fear will make us
look where we are setting our feet
so that we shall not fall on a road
where there are so many obstacles"
.
these two very, very great virtues?"
"Love and Fear of God" She said: quite definite and certain about it; But... there are some indications…
.
█ Love of God
St. Teresa describes true Love of God Those who really love God ◦ invariably join forces with good men ◦ love only truth and things worthy of love" is to please the Beloved" ◦ "give their lives to learn how they may please Him better" ◦ Do..."not love vanities, riches, worldly pleasures or honours" ◦ Does "not... engage in strife or feel envy"
►"If they have not much love, • proceed with many misgivings • realize that they have great cause for fear; • try to find out what is wrong with them, • beseech the Lord not to lead them • strive to discover the truth and • do as their confessor bids them tell him the plain truth, then the Lord is faithful" ► "If they submit to the teaching of the Church, whatever fantasies and illusions with happiness and tranquillity"
► St. Teresa speaks of God's Love for us for our striving to Love God wholly without attachments to objects "As to the reality of this reward for it is manifest in Our Lord's the shedding of His blood and even the loss of His life. there is no doubt as to this love. besides its other properties, is better than all earthly affection we are quite sure that He loves us too". to pray and strive for detachment and sacrifice in order to cultivate one's Love for God "For there are degrees of love for God, in proportion to its strength" • strive to do penance in this life". She offers the examples of great lovers of God, St. Paul and St. Mary Magdalen, who "were sick of Love" for God. it cannot fail to give out a very bright light" . |
. █ Fear of the Lord
St. Teresa describes the virtue of Fear
◦ the dread of displeasing him ◦ the fear of losing God ◦ the fear of failing to withstand temptations ◦ the dread of sin
◦ She associates this virtue with Humility, knowing oneself as "so miserable a creature", ◦ yet relying of the mercy and goodness of God. "...that He is so good that He will hold intimate converse with sinners".
◦ Beseeching God in prayer to "Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil" ► She especially reminds us and urges this Fear when there is a deficit of Love of God: [ lov(ing instead) vanities, riches, worldly pleasures or honours? engag(ing) in strife or feel envy? ] "If they have not much love, • proceed with many misgivings • realize that they have great cause for fear... into which, I fear, they will certainly fall..." ► Being mindful of His mercies: "...that He is so good that He will hold intimate converse with sinners" St. Teresa spoke of the benefits: "...inspired in this way (those) who began the habit of prayer received great favours from the Lord. ► She also urges fear for even those whom God is granting special graces and favors: to whom the Lord is granting these favours, - yet do not imagine that she is safe, but aid her with more prayer, for no one can be safe in this life amid the engulfing dangers amid "the deceptions and illusions practiced against contemplatives by the devil". ► False Fears
She teaches regarding "false fears" which are a temptation: - keep it from enjoying these great blessings, - will suggest to it, a thousand false fears - will persuade other people to do the same; for if he cannot win souls to make them lose something, and among the losers will be those who might have gained greatly - that such great favours, bestowed upon so miserable a creature, - that it is possible for them for sometimes we seem to forget "There are two well-known ways in which he can make use of this means to say nothing of others. First, he can make those who listen to him fearful of engaging in prayer, because they think that they will be deceived. Secondly, he can dissuade many
from approaching God . |
. |
.
End of Discussion
of Chapter 40
The Way of Perfection
. |