Revelations of Saint Teresa of Ávila: “Believe me, my child, the souls most cherished by my Father are those to whom He sends the greatest trials”

Source: archive.org

Saint Teresa of Ávila:

“One day Our Lord said to me: Do you think, my child, that merit consists in enjoyment? No, but in working, in suffering, and in loving. Have you ever seen anywhere that Saint Paul tasted more than once heavenly delights, while very often having to suffer.

Consider also my life; it has been nothing but sufferings, and you find in it only one hour of happiness, that of Mount Tabor. Beware of thinking, when you behold my Mother holding me in her arms, that such sweet joys were free from cruel martyrdom: as soon as she heard Simeon’s words, my Father enlightened her to show all that I would have to suffer.

These great Saints, who spent their lives in the desert, guided as they were by the Spirit of God, devoted themselves to very austere penances; moreover, they endured great battles against the devil, against themselves, and sometimes went for a long time without any spiritual consolation. Believe me, my child, the souls most cherished by my Father are those to whom He sends the greatest trials; and the greatness of these trials is the measure of His love.

How better can I show you my own love than by choosing for you what I have chosen for myself? Look at these wounds, your pains will never reach so far. This is the path of truth. When you have understood it well, you will help me mourn the loss of those slaves of the world whose every desire, every worry, every thought tends only toward a goal entirely opposed.”