saint Teresa of Avila said that in saying just the Our Father a soul could be raised to be a saint if they said it perfectly. Of course we may wonder who could say this prayer perfectly. It is really all grace and all grace comes from God. If indeed a soul could say a prayer perfectly it would simply be a mercy.\\ But we know this is possible from scripture. The good thief who died with Christ beside Him on the Cross.
This reminds me of something a Jesuit priest said years and years ago from Ireland. He worked as a Chaplain to ex prostitutes who were converts . He said he had had never met women who were so honest and straightforward and with no illusions about themselves in his entire life. Can anyone who reads this say the same thing about them selves? I myself met Our Lady in prison. Sometimes I have nightmares about what I did in the past. My own Spiritual Director was horrified when I told him. But on the other hand when I told him about my prayer life he said that he had never read anything like it apart from in books. There is no way I would ever look down on any prostitute. The worst of the worst I would have no problem thinking they were better them me. But on the other hand I know I have a great saviour. I really do believe as Isaiah said even though your sins are red as crimson I will make them white as snow. I did not earn it. I did not deserve it. God simply did it.
Your warning about vain glory is very wise, however, the quest for a deeper prayer life should obviously be rooted in love of God and a desire never to stray. The devil, I think, likes to throw compliments and tell us were doing fine, but slow down, don't be presumptuous, else you'll get a big head. That certainly sounds reasonable and there is truth in such a temptation, but ultimately he desires to undo the habit of prayer so he can better find chinks in our armor. Yes, avoid ego, but press on, and climb in humility and trust in the Holy Spirit. When one begins to grow in the habit of prayer, I believe it would be best to seek a spiritual director.
I think one of the things St Teresa warns about is a false humility. Of the devil leading us into believing that to wish to be saint is vainglorious. Whereas God does indeed want and intend us to be a saint.
Perhaps a good indicator of how far we are along the spiritual path is to ask those who have to live or work with us.
This is one of the big, big, things I envy married people for, that they have someone to tell each other home truths. It is a big, big deal if a spouse considers their other half a saint. One good example was the bad tempered Domenico who considered his wife a saint and said this about Blessed Maria Tiagi after her death.
I am just listening to the wonderful, the late Benedict Groeshel talking about saints. He would know he was one himself.
As you are sharing now about a union with God that is beyond anything I have experienced, it all places a longing, a hunger in my heart, a desire for that deeper union. It's kind of like telling God, "I'm putty in Your hands, what can I do, you have to do the shaping henceforth. Show me how I can better surrender myself to You!" Psalm 46:11 Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth. O Lord, not I, but You be exalted in my life!
I am glad you watched the video, Terry. I have no idea how good an idea it is to make them, but if it helps one person...
