The Trials of Contemplatives

​We were looking at Chapter 18 of Teresa’s Way of Perfection in an OCDS group last night.  I find this a very rich and indeed extraordinary chapter.  Our saint issues a solemn warning: ‘God gives contemplatives much greater trials’.  Indeed she baldly states that ‘the trials God gives to contemplatives are intolerable’.  But then she connects the severity of the trials with the gift of contemplation, telling us that we are given the food of contemplation ‘with its delights’ to enable us to endure our trials.  We spent quite a bit of time discussing how our contemplative prayer helps us in the tough situations we sometimes face, and several helpful points were made.  For my own part I see our silent prayer as developing our inner strength; what is needed more than inner strength to help us stand in the face of battering winds?     

Intercessions

RIP Mervyn Leach, father of two Secular Carmelites

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K, Elena

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.