Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
An abbreviated anecdote from St. Teresa of Avila to encourage us when we find ourselves irresolute and inconsistent:
“One day the Lord told me: ‘You always desire trials, and on the other hand refuse them.’”
(Imagine St. Teresa defending herself to Our Lord: “Me? Oh no Lord, you don’t understand, that isn’t what I meant.” Or ”Yes Lord, but you don’t know what it’s like to endure all of these things.” Of course, she didn’t say that, because when the Lord reproves a soul, the soul is convicted of what he says.)
The Lord continued: “I dispose things in conformity with what I know is your will and not in conformity with your sensual nature and weakness. Take courage, since you see how I help you.” - Spiritual Testimonies, Collected Works, Volume I
It is consoling to know the saints were also whiney and inconsistent at times.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:23 am
It helps me to know that they too were humans facing the human condition, and became saints because of the heroic virtue they allowed to blossom in that humanity and the holiness they ‘fleshed out’day to day.
St Teresa, my patron and the one who drew me into the Catholic Church gives me hope through her writings and, ironically, through the paradoxes and thought provoking passages I find in them. I love that Saint for her EARTHINESS and her focus on the Humanity of Christ.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Teresa - I like her too - she was a big sinner and hypocrite - telling people to pray and not doing so herself for 20 some years, until her conversion. Most of us can learn much from her.
June 11th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Thank you for this fine blog, Terry.
I do not have the gift to write and I appreciate a blog such as yours which is finely crafted and done through a real gift from God.
Thanks for sharing.
teresa_anawim
June 11th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Teresa, that is very kind of you to say, thank you!
June 11th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Teresa, you do indeed have the gift to write! I’ve read it!
June 11th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Adoro! Coming from you, that certainly is a compliment….but, undeserved.