I was born for you - A Methodological Study of The Way of Perfection (June)

Discalced Carmelites preparation to the 5^th Centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus, “a return to the sources of our Teresian Charism, to have a renewed understanding of our identity and mission in today’s Church.”

Scheduled Reading of the way of perfection

June 2011: Chapters 1 – 3 

Summary: 

The way of perfection of St. Teresa of Avila was written at the height of the "reformation" that was started by Martin Luther, a German Friar , in Germany.  Although it was the Calvinist founded by John Calvin that was causing troubles in Europe, specially in France when the way of perfection could have been written.  It was also a time of great distress in the Church, since a reform was indeed needed to address the noted abuses of some members of the Clergy and Religious Orders.

It is also worth noting that when St.Teresa was writing the way of Perfection, it was also the time that she has decided that a reform is needed within the Carmelite Order, since  a great deviation from the primitive rule of St. Albert has already been committed in "Ecarnation".  Thus, the way of Perfection can also be  viewed as the rules of St. Teresa on how the first nuns of the Discalced Carmelites should live as they return to the primitive rule of St. Albert.

It is also obvious that St. Teresa was bothered by the effects of the reformation and instructs the nuns under her care to pray for those who were defending the Catholic Faith, so that through their prayers God will make our Theologians and Preachers " highly proficient in the way of the Lord" and that "they may advance in perfection" in fulfillment of their vocation.

St. Teresa also mentioned the different hurdles that these learned men (Clergy) needs to face in order " to help the Lord", and is hopeful that through their prayers "they may gain the divine Favor" of increasing their numbers who are "qualified", and to "prepare the others who were lacking anything."

She also emphasized that "offering their petitions continually is not useless", and instructs her nuns to pray for the prelates of the Church, most specially the Bishops and said that if their prayers, desire, discipline and fasting were not done for the intentions she mentioned, they are not carrying-out the work of fulfilling the object of their calling.   

Sources:
The way of perfection
St. Teresa of Avila

Picture of St. Teresa of Avila
Wikipedia.com - St. Teresa of Jesus
under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License 3.0 (Unported). and the GNU Free Documentation License

Chapter XVI : The Difference between Perfection in the Lives of Contemplatives and those who practice Mental Prayer

1 So far, in describing the virtues, I have only been 'placing the board'; you have asked me to tell you the way to attain to contemplation, and in this matter, the King does not allow Himself to be taken except by one who surrenders wholly to Him.  If you think it is unimportant to place such stress on the virtues, you can continue to practice mental prayer all your life; but unless you strive after the virtues, you will never arrive at contemplation.  The King of glory will not come and be united with our souls unless we strive to gain the greatest virtues.

2 Contemplation is Divine Union, in which the Lord takes His delight in the soul, and the soul takes its delight in Him.  So, although a person in mortal sin may experience a genuine vision, that person could not arrived at contemplation while in this state of sin.  The Lord gives such consolations to prepare them and test them; but few really prepare themselves to enjoy this favour of contemplation.

3 When the Lord gives His favours and we ourselves leave nothing undone, I think it is certain that He never ceases from giving until He has brought us to a very high degree of prayer.  If we do not give ourselves resolutely, as He gives Himself to us, He will leave us in mental prayer, just visiting us from time to time.  These others, whom He draws to contemplation, are His beloved children, whom He would never want to banish from His side.  He sits them at His table, feeds them with His own food, almost taking the food from His mouth to give it to them.

4 How happy we shall be, if by leaving these few, petty things we can arrive at so high an estate!  If the world should blame you, and eaten you with its cries, what matter so long as you are in the arms of God?  What a wonderful exchange, if we give Him our love, and receive His!  We do hardly anything at all - just make some poor weak resolution.

5 All our trouble comes from not having our eyes fixed on the Lord; we do not set our eyes on the true Way.  Do not be afraid that He will fail to do His part if we do not fail to do ours.  Since we come here for no other reason than to arrive at contemplation, let us put our hands to plough.  We must be venturesome to take in hand whatever wouldbe a service to the Lord.  We must have a holy boldness, for God helps the strong, being no respecter of persons, and He will give courage to you and to me.

Sources:

The Way of perfection

St. Teresa of Jesus

Image of St. Teresa of Avila
Wikipedia.com - St. Teresa of Jesus
under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License 3.0 (Unported). and the GNU Free Documentation License

Note: 

Paragraph numbering was made by the blog owner for easy reference in some of his reflections and writings.

Chapter XXI: Importance of Setting out on the Road to Prayer with Firm Resolution

We must not be dismayed at the number of things we have to consider before setting out on this Divine Journey which is the royal road to Heaven.  By taking this road we gain such precious treasures that it is no wonder if the cost seems to us as high as one.  The time will come when we realize that all we have paid is as nothing at all by comparison to the greatness of our prize.

For those whose goal is to drunk the water of life, which is contemplation, it is all important that they begin well and most determined resolve not to halt until they reach their goal, whatever may come, whatever may happen to them, however hard  they may have to labor, whoever may complain of them, whether they reach their goal or die on the road, or have no heart to confront the trials they meet, or whether the world dissolves around them.

We must take notice of those who try to discourage us by saying such thing as, "it may lead to delusion"; "We should stick to our spinning"; "It is quite enough to say the Pater Noster (Our Father) and the Ave Maria (Hail Mary)."

Of course it is not enough!  Were it not for our great weakness and the lukewarmness of our devotion, there would be no need for any other systems of prayer or for any books at all.  But I am speaking to those who are unable to recollect themselves by meditating upon other mysteries, and who think they need special methods of prayer.  So I think I shall start to lay down some rules for each part of our prayer, beginning, middle, and end; though I shall not spend long on the other higher stages for I have already written about them.

I have always been found of the words of the Gospels and have found more recollection in them than in the most carefully planned books;  specially books who's authors were not fully approved.

If I keep close to the master of Wisdom, He will help me to explain.  Consulting a great many books may well kill our devotion, when we are most anxious to nurture it.

Pay no heed, then, to those who try to frighten you by depicting the perils of the way.  If this royal road, the safe road trodden by our King and by His elect and His saints - is so full of danger, what of the danger those who are not even on the road?  How incomparably greater the risk they run!

Prayer is the duty of religious;  God forbid that it should be dangerous.  There is one great blessing -- you will always find a few people who will help and encourage you;  and if one or two are fearlessly following the better path, the Lord regains what is lost.

Cease troubling about these fears;  This is not the time for believing everyone; believe only on those whom you see modeling their lives on the life of Christ.  Endeavor always to have a good conscience;  practice humility;  despise all worldly things,  believe firmly in the teachings of our Holy Mother the Church.  If anyone should try to discourage you, tell him that you have a Rule which commands you to pray without ceasing, to practice mental prayer, and even contemplation, if God should grant it to you.

Sources:

The Way of perfection

St. Teresa of Jesus

Image of St. Teresa of Avila
Wikipedia.com - St. Teresa of Jesus
under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License 3.0 (Unported). and the GNU Free Documentation License