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Gary G. Hoag
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”— Philippians 3:7-8
“Now we will consider what is the detachment which we are bound to feel: if this be perfect it will include everything else. I say it will include everything else because, if we cling to our Creator alone and care nothing for created things,
His Majesty will infuse the virtues into us, so that, doing by degrees all that is in our power, we shall have little left with which to struggle, for our Lord will defend us against the devils and the whole world as well. Do you think that it is a small gain to give ourselves entirely to Him? …
I have to say the same with regard to all the virtues and other matters which I treat of here, for it is easier to write of them than to practice them…
It is clear that our lives are cut off from all outward things here: our Lord seems to wish to deprive us of all that would hold us captive to this world, so that He may, without impediment, draw us to Himself…
We cannot share their amusements, nor would it be lawful for us; but we grieve over their unhappiness which often afflicts us more than it does them. I assure you that the soul and poverty of spirit pay dearly for any comfort that the body may gain.”
Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) in The Way of Perfection (London: Thomas Baker, 1919) 52-55. Download this classic work in PDF form freely here.
This is the fourth of seven posts exploring the very real benefits of poverty and detachment. I hope you feel His Majesty drawing you to Himself this week.
I titled today's post "our Lord seems to wish to deprive us" because that's what topics like poverty and detachment seem like, at least at first glance.
Remember yesterday that Teresa advised to despise earthy goods lest they take dominion over us.
We do well to learn from the apostle Paul today. He echoes this idea. He counts all things as "garbage" next to Christ. That strong language, for sure!
Teresa adds today, with honestly and humility, that all of this is easier said than done. But she teaches us that our lives must look different from the world.
There are amusements that we must abandon for our good. Such behaviors lead people to unhappiness, though they may not understand that at the time.
Hear this at the midpoint of the week.
If something seems hard, Paul and Teresa would say to ask God for more grace. He will give it. Ask Him for more wisdom. He will lavish it generously,
Any seeming deprivation in the Christian journey of perfection is for your good. Think of this week as getting spiritual exercise to get in better spiritual shape.
You've got this. God's got you. He's as reliable and magnificent as the sunrise in the header photo that I shot last month.
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