Interior Silence

[DebChris]

Thanks Deb. Funny I know all this intellectually but it wasn’t until recently that I acknowledged that yes I do have some consolation seeking going on. It’s very subtle - I was very patient and accepting of it at first, but over time began to hope some consolation would return eventually. Just a feeling of I miss it and I hope to have it back.

Just having that twinge of longing is a sign I am not completely resigned to the work God is doing. If I were truly abandoned, I’d be indifferent about consolation or dryness. It’s amazing how subtle our faults and our attachments can be. I wish I knew who said it (it may have been Saint Teresa, one of the Carmelites aboard will know), but someone said it doesn’t matter whether a bird is tethered by a heavy chain or a tiny thread, either way it can’t fly.

We’ve all been there.
It is during the most difficult period of my life that God called me in a special way. One day when I was looking for the friends I saw on a regular basis, God brought home full force the need for me to simply come to Him. Definitely not a time of consolation!

 

[brigid12]

I wish I knew who said it (it may have been Saint Teresa, one of the Carmelites aboard will know), but someone said it doesn’t matter whether a bird is tethered by a heavy chain or a tiny thread, either way it can’t fly.

It sounds like something St. Therese would say, but I’ll find it for sure (and I just saw this the other day, too ).

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Fr Thomas Keating writes that its often the times when we think we’ve gotten nothing out our prayer time, that we’ve received the most.

This is because we tend to latch onto consolations and try to have them serve our own agendas.

However, when we’ve received grace without our awareness, our transformation is greater.

Jim

 

[DBT]

It’s amazing how subtle our faults and our attachments can be. I wish I knew who said it (it may have been Saint Teresa, one of the Carmelites aboard will know), but someone said it doesn’t matter whether a bird is tethered by a heavy chain or a tiny thread, either way it can’t fly.

I just love these little coincidences. I haven’t opened St. John’s Ascent in a while, but my bookmark just happened to be set to the page of the quote you mention.

From The Ascent, Book 1, Chapter 11 where St. John is speaking of the mortification of all voluntary appetites . . . be they mortal, venial or imperfections:

It makes little difference whether a bird is tied by a thin thread or by a cord. Even if it is tied by thread, the bird will be held bound just as surely as if it were tied by cord; that is, it will be impeded from flying as long as it does not break the thread. Admittedly the thread is easier to break, but no matter how easily this may be done, the bird will not fly away without first doing so. This is the lot of those who are attached to something: No matter how much virtue they have they will not reach the freedom of the divine union.

Dave

 

[beckycmarie]

Dave, what an awesome God-incidence!


Lord, I am taking Your hints.