Teresa of Ávila: Affections

A valuable aid towards this is the constant remembrance of the vanity of all things and of how quickly they pass away, that we may with draw our affections from what is worthless and fix them on what is eternal.

Though this means seems inefficient, yet I assure you it gives great strength to the soul. We must keep watch over ourselves carefully in the most insignificant matters: when we are attached to anything we must turn our thoughts from it and fix them on God. His Majesty will help us to do this, and it is a great grace from Him.”

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) in The Way of Perfection (London: Thomas Baker, 1919) 59. Download this classic work in PDF form freely here.

This is the fifth of seven posts exploring the tangible benefits of poverty and detachment. I pray you feel His Majesty drawing you to Himself this week.

In today's Scripture, the apostle Paul wants us to set our affections on things above and not on earthly things. Why?

It's not because they are bad. It's because He wants what is best for us. Teresa calls it the "holy liberty of spirit" that is "unimpeded by any earthly, laden weight."

Every time you see the clouds, like the ones in the header photo, I pray you remember today's Scripture and this meditation.

God wants to strengthen us and liberate us. Let me use a word picture to try to drive this point home.

I want you to imagine yourself with weights in your pockets representing all that you possess. The more you have, the more weights you carry.

God wants your soul free to live, give, serve, and love, without all those burdens. He's not trying to rob you or deprive you but help you and free you.

Or consider another word picture from the Old Testament. Each day, God supplied manna, right? What happened if they filled their pockets with it? It turned to maggots. Imagine maggots in all your pockets. Jesus does not want that for you and neither do I.

Yesterday, I suggested you ask for grace from His Majesty to help you. Today Teresa repeats that advice. Do it.

At some point, unless our Lord returns first, every reader of these meditations will die. You cannot take anything with you, but you can send it on ahead.

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33

Take those weights out of your pockets. Don't let your self-will win even in the most insignificant matters. Give them before they pass away and before you pass away.