St Theresa
of Avila:
We cannot speak to God and the world at the
same time
You know
that His Majesty taught us that the first point is that prayer should be made
in solitude.
He
practised this Himself; not because it was requisite for Him, but for the sake
of our instruction. I have already explained that we cannot speak both to God
and to the world at the same time.
Yet what
else we doing if, while we pray, we listen to other people’s conversation or
let our thoughts dwell unchecked on whatever subject occurs to them?
On other occasions God permits a tempest of
difficulties to assault His servants for His greater gain; then, though the
soul may grieve at its distractions and try to stop them, this is found to be
impossible. She should not trouble herself about it; this would only increase
the evil.
Let her
pray as best she can, or leave off praying and rest her soul as if she were
ill, occupying herself with some other good work.
