Ch. 21 This Chapter is like sitting in the room with her listening to her reflect on life with friends.
6) What strikes you most about how she views her life and God?
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“…in His goodness He has held me by His hand so that I might not turn back.” This phrase (p.190, #11, paragraph 2) summarizes for me the most striking elements of this chapter. “His Majesty” – all knowing, all powerful, all good – has drawn her to Himself and will not let go, despite her failings in her past life. In her humility she understands that it is only by the grace of God, holding her tightly in His hand, that she remains faithful to her way of perfection. And because of this, she desires nothing more than to be with Him always.
- submitted by CM
Even though I am nothing but proud dirt, it is my deepest desire to give God my all, my everything. I am nothing but a weak coward who is just barely scratching the surface of knowing her littleness her nothingness and to quote from St. Theresa (page 187 #6) “Oh, how painful it is for a soul who finds itself in this stage to have to return to dealing with everything, to behold and see the face of this so poorly harmonized life, to waste time in taking care of bodily needs, sleeping and eating! Everything wearies it; it doesn’t know how to flee; it sees itself captured and in chains. Then it feels more truly the misery of life and the captivity we endure because of our bodies.” etc…
It seems that St. Theresa is speaking directly to me and comforting me with her words that yes it is ok to have these feelings – I understand and so does God. This is just one of the many thoughts of St. Theresa that spoke to me and comforted me in my walk.
- submitted by KS
What strikes me most about how St. Teresa views her life and God, is that with God, Who knows everything about her, is still her best and Loving Friend. And she didn’t have to be concerned about any deception or duplicity in her relationship with Him, as sometimes happens in earthly friendships. He being Truth and Love.
It was difficult for her to return from her raptures to deal with everything earthly, so disharmonious at times, compared with the peace she had just experienced. She said her soul would go searching about for the freedom of being liberated from the body. But she did find some consolation in certain persons who had similar desires as she, and no earthly attachments.
These raptures would make her perfections and virtues grow, with much fortitude to brake away from anything displeasing to Him. It’s effects are from God’s Spirit.
-submitted by MY