“Thus, my daughters, strive to think rightly about
God, for he doesn’t look at trifles as much as you think, and don’t lose your
courage or allow your soul to be constrained, for many blessings could be
lost. Have the right intention, a
resolute will, as I have said, not to offend God. Don’t let your soul withdraw into a corner,
for instead of obtaining sanctity you will obtain many imperfections that the
devil in other ways will place before you; and, as I have said, you will not be
of as much benefit to yourself or to others as you could have been.”—Teresa of
Avila, The Way of Perfection, ch.41.
Towards the end of this book, St. Teresa talk about “fear
of the Lord,” and offers typical advice to her religious sisters on avoiding
bad conversations, etc. But she closes
the chapter with a few paragraphs warning against, essentially, scrupulosity
and a fear of sinning by accident.
Rather than believing that the world can infect those who truly love
God, she suggests that “a servant of God, without uttering a word, prevents
things from being said against God.”
Essentially, social pressure works both ways: it can corrupt, and it can
heal.
With great love comes great freedom.
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