On 'The Way of Perfection'

Tonight, an encounter with Teresa of Avila that is typically astounding. The description of the Fear of God and the Love of God being two impenetrable fortifications from which our sanctity is secured is breathtaking. The notion (not only hers, of course) that the Our Father is utterly and obviously perfect, containing every fundamental element of our faith within it. The manner in which it expresses the contemplative petition in the pursuit of spiritual delight, and the worldly petition of our most basic needs in the same words, the same breath, depending on our state in life. The bold assertion that if we speak plainly, and truthfully, doing what we say we will, that He will give us even more than we have asked. All of it, heavy truths earned in prayer, penance, devotion and contemplative intimacy. 

She writes that those approaching perfection are fearless - so absorbed in the delights of prayer that they don’t even want to remember that there is ‘a world,’ let alone be attached to any of it in a means that would enslave them, like John of the Cross describes of the bird, unable to fly, bound by a single, thin thread. She is, and always is, utterly inspiring, yet unfailingly practical, reasonable and relatable. A gift to all of us.