Ecstasy and humility

In our Carmelite groups the question of ecstatic experiences comes up from time to time.  How important are they? Should we as Carmelites expect to have them? Can they be deceptive? I recently came across a typically bold comment made by St Teresa said on the subject.  Writing on the difficulty of knowing whether such experiences are divinely inspired or not, she observes that so long as a person receives such experiences with humility, they can do no harm, even were they in reality to come from the Devil.  In the absence of humility, they are useless anyway and can do no good.  I like the way that she and John of the Cross present humility as our defence, our armour, our shield against the evil one.  It’s so simple!  Prayer and humility, prayer and humility …

Intercessions:

Elara, Siena, infants with severe medical issues

Agnes, Philippa, Marie – cancer

Bernard – cancer, and wife Angela

Rosemarie – multiple afflictions