In Tales of Glory episode 163, we are in chapter 10 of Saint Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle. We explore further the effects of intellectual visions and how they shape the soul for deeper conversion in Jesus.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:38 Chapter X Outline for IC VI 10
00:04:33 Chapter X Outline Topic I - Introduction to Intellectual Visions
00:05:08 The Interior Castle Sixth Mansions Chapter X
00:05:17 Nos. 1. Reasons for speaking of these supernatural favors.
00:06:55 Nos. 2. An Intellectual Vision.
00:17:51 Nos. 3. God compared to a palace to which His creatures dwell.
00:20:46 Chapter X Outline Topic II - Jesus is Sovereign Truth
00:21:15 Nos. 4. Forgive as we are forgiven.
00:22:22 Nos. 5. The vision shows God to be Truth itself.
00:26:17 Nos. 6. We should imitate God by truthfulness.
00:28:43 Nos. 7. Why God reveals these truths.
00:31:06 Spiritual Exercises
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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Show Notes
The Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 audio mp3 - Discerning Hearts read by Kristin McGreggor
Commentary Notes
I. Introduction to Intellectual Visions
1. Reasons for speaking of these supernatural favors.
2. An intellectual vision.
Saint Teresa wrote here in nos 2.
These are not visions of the most sacred Humanity; although I say that the soul "sees" Him, it really sees nothing, for this is not an imaginary, but a notably intellectual, vision, in which is revealed to the soul how all things are seen in God, and how within Himself He contains them all.
Saint Teresa expands on this with her reference from her autobiography, Life.
Life, ch. xl. 13-16.
13. Once, when in prayer, I had a vision, for a moment,—I saw nothing distinctly, but the vision was most clear,—how all things are seen in God and how all things are comprehended in Him. I cannot in any way explain it, but the vision remains most deeply impressed on my soul, and is one of those grand graces which our Lord wrought in me, and one of those which put me to the greatest shame and confusion whenever I call my sins to remembrance. I believe, if it had pleased our Lord that I had seen this at an earlier time, or if they saw it who sin against Him, we should have neither the heart nor the daring to do so. I had the vision, I repeat it, but I cannot say that I saw anything; however, I must have seen something, seeing that I explain it by an illustration, only it must have been in a way so subtile and delicate that the understanding is unable to reach it, or I am so ignorant in all that relates to these visions, which seem to be not imaginary. In some of these visions there must be something imaginary, only, as the powers of the soul are then in a trance, they are not able afterwards to retain the forms, as our Lord showed them to it then, and as He would have it rejoice in them.
14. Let us suppose the Godhead to be a most brilliant diamond, much larger than the whole world, or a mirror like that to which I compared the soul in a former vision, only in a way so high that I cannot possibly describe it; and that all our actions are seen in that diamond, which is of such dimensions as to include everything, because nothing can be beyond it. It was a fearful thing for me to see, in so short a time, so many things together in that brilliant diamond, and a most piteous thing too, whenever I think of it, to see such foul things as my sins present in the pure brilliancy of that light.
15. So it is, whenever I remember it, I do not know how to bear it, and I was then so ashamed of myself that I knew not where to hide myself. Oh, that some one could make this plain to those who commit most foul and filthy sins, that they may remember their sins are not secret, and that God most justly resents them, seeing that they are wrought in the very presence of His Majesty, and that we are demeaning ourselves so irreverently before Him! I saw, too, how completely hell is deserved for only one mortal sin, and how impossible it is to understand the exceeding great wickedness of committing it in the sight of majesty so great, and how abhorrent to His nature such actions are. In this we see more and more of His mercifulness, who, though we all know His hatred of sin, yet suffers us to live.
16. The vision made me also reflect, that if one such vision as this fills the souls with such awe, what will it be in the day of judgment, when His Majesty will appear distinctly, and when we too shall look on the sins we have committed! O my God, I have been, oh, how blind! I have often been amazed at what I have written; and you, my father, be you not amazed at anything, but that I am still living,—I, who see such things, and know myself to be what I am. Blessed for ever be He who has borne with me so long!
3. God compared to a palace in which His creatures dwell.
II. Jesus is Sovereign Truth
4. Forgive as we are forgiven.
5. The vision shows God to be Truth itself.
Saint Teresa writes in nos. 5,
This is a very good explanation of David's meaning in that Psalm where he says that every man is a liar.- One would never take those words in that sense of one's own accord, however many times one heard them, but they express a truth that is infallible.
Ps. cxv. 2. ‘Omnis homo mendax.’ (Latin Vulgate)
Psalm 116:11 (ESV)
11 I said in my alarm,
“All mankind are liars.”
Saint Teresa also wrote in nos. 5,
I remember that story about Pilate, who asked Our Lord so many questions, and at the time of His Passion said to Him: ''What is truth?" And then I reflect how little we understand of this Sovereign Truth here on earth.
St. John xviii. 38: Quid est veritas? (Latin Vulgate)
John 18:38 (ESV)
38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
6. We should imitate God by truthfulness.
7. Why God reveals these truths.
Supplemental References on the Interior Castle
Interior Castle: The Classic Text with Spiritual Commentary - My favorite reference.
Fire Within: Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and the Gospel on Prayer -excellent reference!
Into the Deep: Finding Peace Through Prayer - Dan Burke great book!
The Essential Teresa of Avila - Interior Castle, Life, Way of Perfection in Modern English!!!
Cosmology and Demonology in Genesis 1-11: The Serpent, Divine Council, and Regional Spirits
Till Next Time
I hope you were blessed with this teaching on Saint Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, Six Mansions, Chapter 10, More on the effects of the Intellectual Vision.
God Bless
Rev. Mike
