Today's words come from the teaching of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila). These three words are a constant theme of hers. So important are these words that she weaves them like a golden thread throughout her writing to her nuns, and to those who, today follow her spiritual teaching and direction.
I was meditating on detachment and wondering why it is so important that two great Carmelite Doctors of the Church stress this spiritual teaching over and over. I received a greater understanding of this gift while helping a friend who has a deep-seated fear of death. I came to realize that this fear of death stems from the soul's great attachment to the things of this world. If we look at the lives of the saints and those who chose poverty
over the material goods of this world, they experienced a deep peace and longing for heaven. As Scripture tells us perfect love casts out fear.
Here is what St. John of the Cross says in the Spiritual Canticle: Since sinners love the life of this world intensely and have little love for that of the other, they have an intense fear of death. But the soul that loves God lives more in the next life than in this, for a soul lives where it loves more than where it gives life, and thus takes little account of this temporal life.
Spiritual Canticle, Stanza 12, No. 10
He also describes the physical death of the soul who is inflamed with love of God and not worldly things:
The death of such persons is very gentle and very sweet, sweeter and more gentle than was their whole spiritual life on earth.
Living Flame of Love, Stanza 1, No. 30
We must be on guard against false humility which leads the soul astray on the spiritual path, thinking that its sins are too great for God's mercy. Let's read what St. Teresa says about this false humility:
Now be also on your guard, daughters, against some types of humility given by the devil in which great disquiet is felt about the gravity of our sins. This disturbance can afflict in many ways even to the point of making one give up receiving Communion and practicing private prayer...humility does not disturb or disquiet or agitate, however great it may be; it comes with peace, delight, and calm...The pain of genuine humility doesn't agitate or afflict the soul;rather this humility expands it and enables it to serve God more.
Way of Perfection, Chap. 39, No. 1 & 2
Let us pray for each other, that we have a great longing for the virtues of love of neighbor, humility, and detachment. Let us pray that we have a great longing for heaven that casts out all fear of death. May we sing with the Psalmist, "When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage and see the face of God."
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage
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| St. Francis-detached from all created things- loved Lady Poverty |
LOVE, HUMILITY, DETACHMENT
Today's words come from the teaching of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila). These three words are a constant theme of hers. So important are these words that she weaves them like a golden thread throughout her writing to her nuns, and to those who, today follow her spiritual teaching and direction.
I was meditating on detachment and wondering why it is so important that two great Carmelite Doctors of the Church stress this spiritual teaching over and over. I received a greater understanding of this gift while helping a friend who has a deep-seated fear of death. I came to realize that this fear of death stems from the soul's great attachment to the things of this world. If we look at the lives of the saints and those who chose poverty
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| St. Therese possessed perfect love of God and neighbor-The Church calls her "Doctor of Love" |
Here is what St. John of the Cross says in the Spiritual Canticle: Since sinners love the life of this world intensely and have little love for that of the other, they have an intense fear of death. But the soul that loves God lives more in the next life than in this, for a soul lives where it loves more than where it gives life, and thus takes little account of this temporal life.
Spiritual Canticle, Stanza 12, No. 10
He also describes the physical death of the soul who is inflamed with love of God and not worldly things:
The death of such persons is very gentle and very sweet, sweeter and more gentle than was their whole spiritual life on earth.
Living Flame of Love, Stanza 1, No. 30
We must be on guard against false humility which leads the soul astray on the spiritual path, thinking that its sins are too great for God's mercy. Let's read what St. Teresa says about this false humility:
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| St. Teresa possessed perfect detachment and counseled her nuns to pray for this virtue |
Way of Perfection, Chap. 39, No. 1 & 2
Let us pray for each other, that we have a great longing for the virtues of love of neighbor, humility, and detachment. Let us pray that we have a great longing for heaven that casts out all fear of death. May we sing with the Psalmist, "When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage and see the face of God."
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
________________
When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage
2 comments:
Great post, Rose, thank you! Blessed be God!!! Never thought about WHY people are afraid of death if death is the only doorway to get to Heaven. Thanks for the insight. In Christ, Ivi
Thanks, Ivi! Thanks be to the Holy Spirit who has put us on the spiritual path of seeking detachment.
Peace!
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