“Never does the world exalt without putting down…”
“Remember how the world treated Christ, how they exalted him on Palm Sunday.” - St. Teresa of Avila
The meditation in Magnificat today was from St. Teresa of Avila and her thoughts on vain praise and complacency. People have always longed for affirmation and praise, it is simply human nature, despite the fact it can be terribly exaggerated in today’s culture, especially considering how many politically-correct-Oprah-show-type parents raise their kids on seemingly incessant praise. In the spiritual life, it can be deadly, even when well deserved. (Of course everyone needs acceptance and encouragement to grow and develop, along with reasonable affirmation for doing good.)
“Flattery and vain praises, involves deception and vanity, as Isaias warns: ‘My people, whoever praises you deceives you.’ [Isaiah 3:12]” - Ascent III; 22: 2
St. Teresa wrote to her nuns: “What can do you great harm is praise - for once it starts it never ends… The most common way is by telling you that you are saints, in such exaggerated terms that it seems the devil teaches these words.
“For love of God I ask you never to rest upon these praises, for little by little they do great harm… they make you think the truth has been spoken, or make you think everything is accomplished and that you have done your part. Never let a word of praise pass without moving you to resist it interiorly - to humble yourselves more afterward.”
“How can you believe when you seek praise from men?“ - John 5:44
“Remember your sins, and if in some matters people speak the truth in praising you, note that the virtue is not yours and that you are obliged to serve more. Awaken fear in your soul so that you do not rest in this false peace given by the world - Think that it is a kiss from Judas.
“Although some do not praise you with such an intention, the devil is watching to see how he can take the spoils if you do not defend yourself against him.” - Teresa of Avila
“Pride of life.” - 1 John 2:16
Vainglory, vanity, pride, and presumption are the first types of harm caused by our reliance on praise and recognition. These dispositions give rise to boasting, looking down upon others as inferior, and working exclusively for one’s own personal satisfaction or the recognition of others. Some work very hard to gain praise for their works, others desire thanks, while others desire that they and their works be celebrated with awards and recognition, often not unlike the priests in the Gospel who sounded the trumpet when they gave alms. - AR2: Mortification
