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JMJ
Feast of the Transverberation of St. Teresa of Jesus, Reformer and Foundress of the Discalced Carmelites
"... At times an arrow is thrust into the deepest and most living recesses of the heart in such a way that the soul doesn't know what has happened or what it wants. It well understands that it wants God and that the arrow seems to have been dipped in a poisonous herb so that for the love of this Lord it might despise itself; and it would gladly lose its life for Him. You can't exaggerate or describe the way which God wounds the soul and the extreme pain this wound produces, for it causes the soul to forget itself. Yet this pain is so delightful that there is no other pleasure in life that gives greater happiness... I say that his reality should be understood in such a way that the soul is said to be wounded for a very sublime reason and there be clear awareness that the soul did not cause this love, but that seemingly a spark from the very great love the Lord has for it suddenly fell upon it, making it burn all over. Oh, how many times when I am in this state do I recall that verse of David: As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after Thee, O Lord (Ps. 41.2)."
Caution, this so-called mystical experience does not consist of devotional feelings: "... These impulses, which are so vehement... are not a disquiet of the heart. Neither are they the certain devotional feelings that often occur and seem to suffocate the spirit because... they can't be contained. These devotional feelings belong to a lower form of prayer and their impetuous stirrings should be avoided by trying gently to gather them within oneself and by quieting the soul. This condition is like that of children crying so furiously that it seems they are about to be suffocated; their excessive feelings cease when they are given something to drink. So it is here. Reason should bridle these feelings because they could be caused by our own natural weakness. We should consider with fear that they are not totally perfect but can pertain in great part to the sensory portion of the soul. And let this child become quiet by a loving caress which moves it to love, by gentle means and not by blows... Let this love be held within and not resemble the pot that heats up too fast and boils over because too much wood was put on fire.... One should strive earnestly to avoid exterior feelings" (Autobiography, Ch. 29).
Caution, this so-called mystical experience does not consist of devotional feelings: "... These impulses, which are so vehement... are not a disquiet of the heart. Neither are they the certain devotional feelings that often occur and seem to suffocate the spirit because... they can't be contained. These devotional feelings belong to a lower form of prayer and their impetuous stirrings should be avoided by trying gently to gather them within oneself and by quieting the soul. This condition is like that of children crying so furiously that it seems they are about to be suffocated; their excessive feelings cease when they are given something to drink. So it is here. Reason should bridle these feelings because they could be caused by our own natural weakness. We should consider with fear that they are not totally perfect but can pertain in great part to the sensory portion of the soul. And let this child become quiet by a loving caress which moves it to love, by gentle means and not by blows... Let this love be held within and not resemble the pot that heats up too fast and boils over because too much wood was put on fire.... One should strive earnestly to avoid exterior feelings" (Autobiography, Ch. 29).
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