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About Teresa's teachings on Jesus


Meg: It seems to me that Teresa taught the novices to practice imaging and noticing Jesus always in their field of consciousness. It eventually becomes a habit (first through strenuous effort and then with on-going praxis of the mind within the practice of faith). This training is to sustain the experience of the presence of Jesus that usually comes to novices but then fades as ordinary consciousness replaces the new experience.

We can abide in this experience of Presence with the habit of recollection through the humanity of Jesus, who is just like us.


From: "Djcocd@aol.com"

I've been reading A Day With Jesus and I find it a delight. It reminds very much of St. Teresa's way of prayer and of what she teaches her nuns and friars about walking in the presence of Jesus our Good
Friend.

As you may know, the discovery of the humanity of Jesus was the greatest discovery of her life. It healed her broken affectivity and integrated her.

Jesus became the Source and Center from which all
her relationships came together. Also, being such a practical and concrete woman, and aware of her body, she knew we needed Jesus because
life is hard and the journey difficult.

"We are not angels but we have a body. To desire to be angels while we are on earth - and as much on earth as I was - is foolishness.

Ordinarily, thought needs to have some support. If at times the soul goes out of itself or goes about so full of God that it has no need of any created things to become recollected, this isn't so usual.

When one is in the midst of business matters, and in times of persecution and trials, when one can't maintain so much quietude, and in times of dryness, Christ is a very good friend because we behold Him as man and see Him with weaknesses and trials - and He is company for us.

Once we have the habit, it is very easy to find Him at our side, although there will come times when
neither the one experience nor the other will be possible." (L.22.10)

A question that Teresa often asks us is: What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side. When she teaches her prayer of recollection in chapter 26 of The Way of Perfection, she teaches us to walk along the side of Jesus who is present. "Then, daughters, since you are alone, strive to find a companion. Well, what better companion than the Master Himself who taught you this prayer? (the Our Father)

Represent the Lord Himself as close to you and behold how lovingly and humbly He is teaching you. Believe me, you should remain with so good a friend as long as you can.

If you grow accustomed to having Him present at your side, and He sees that you do so with love and that you go about striving to please Him, you will not be able - as they say - to get away from Him; He will never leave you; He will help you in all your trials; you will find Him everywhere.

Do you think it is some small matter to have a friend like this at your side?" (Way, 26.1)

Then in chapter 22 of the Life, she poses the same challenge: "This Lord of ours is the one through whom all blessings come to us. He will teach us these things. In beholding His life we find that He is the best example.

What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do?

Blessed are they who truly love Him and always keep Him at their side!" (L.22.7)

Those words, "Blessed are they who truly love Him and always keep Him
at their side." express in a nutshell the contemplative path according to Teresa of Jesus. For me, herein lies the great challenge: keeping
Jesus at my side. Well, he is always at my side; I'm the one who can live so distractedly and fail to nourish the intimate friendship Jesus and make Him a part of my daily life, just as the author of A Day with Jesus tries to do.

The author of this gem writes in the introduction that we need to pray for the grace of His Presence. I was touched by these words, because to grow in walking in the presence of our Good Friend who is
always there is a grace. This is the grace I'm asking for.

Fr. Daniel



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and I shall live,
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