The basic problem regarding scrupulosity is is that he or she is a person is living out of fear rather than our of love, however much they want to love.
It also seems based on the idea that we can be perfect though what we do.
It probably won't be very convincing on an emotional practical level as even if we acknowledge something we learn as true, that doesn't guarantee we can take it on board.
However a couple of thoughts came to mind so I'll post them I guess, the first being:
“God is asking me, the unworthy, to forget my unworthiness and that of my brothers, and to dare to advance in the love which has redeemed and renewed us all in God’s likeness…to laugh, after all, at the preposterous idea of ‘worthiness’” Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, Thomas Merton.
The scriptural text that might accompany that is :
**“I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts...but I only want the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith.**” [Philippians 3:9]
The bulk of what I thought of sharing was painstakingly typed into my journal from some letters between St Therese and her sisters, and from her sister Leonie's writings, and from Carmel in the World. The trouble is it's a lot of writing so I have to try to be judicious, which isn't always easy.
However, firstly, this is a profound scriptural text, one that all scrupulous persons and all discouraged persons need to keep before their eyes. As I become discouraged too sometimes, that's me too!
"**Let honesty prompt your thinking about the Lord, seek Him in simplicity of heart; since He is to be found by those who do not put Him to the test, He shows Himself to those who do not distrust Him. But selfish intentions divorce from God.” **[Wisdom 1:1-2]
That text is awesome and worthy of careful meditation, as is the following text:
Jesus says, **“I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” **[Luke18: 17]
We know that text well and it may seem odd to some. Does God expect us to be childish? No. To be childlike in our faith is to be trusting of our Father and loving. like Jesus.
St Therese of Lisieux, who is not only a canonized saint but also a Dopctor of the Church, taught:
“**The only way to advance rapidly in the path of love is to always remain very little” “‘Remaining little’ means—to recognise ones nothingness, to await everything from the goodness of God, to avoid being much troubled at our faults; finally, not to be worried about amassing spiritual riches.”** “There is but one means of compelling God not to judge us, and it is—to appear before Him empty-handed...spend your treasures as you gain them...All my earnings [merits] are spent immediately on the ransom of souls...Our Lord is justice Himself, and if He does not judge our good actions, neither will He judge our bad ones.”
Have to get back to you later. My son just phoned
