"And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil" Taken From "The Pater Noster of Saint Teresa" Translated and Adapted by MONSIGNOR WILLIAM J. DOHENY, C.S.C Imprimatur, 1942 PART ONE Necessity of Trials and Combats These are exalted favors that we must here consider and understand, because we have to ask them of God. Let us begin by studying one point that I view as absolutely certain. It is this: ThOse who reach perfection do not ask God to be freed from trials, temptations, persecutions, and combats. To be afflicted by trials is but another apparent and unmistakable proof that such souls are guided by the Holy Spirit, and that they are not deluded when they view contemplation and other special favors as coming from the hand of God. And I repeat, these souls prefer trials; they even request and love them. They are like soldiers, who are the happier the more often they fight, because of their hope for richer rewards. For if there are no combats, soldiers have to be content to live on their pay, and they well understand that they will never be able to enrich themselves in that fashion. Conflicts, the Lot of the Soldiers of Christ Believe me, the hour of conflict never comes soon enough for the soldiers of Christ; that is, for those who are raised to contemplation and who dedicate themselves to prayer. They never have great fear of their proclaimed adversaries, for they know them, and are aware that such opponents have no real power against those armed with the strength of God. They always come forth as victors from the fight, enriched with rewards. Such souls are never put to flight by their enemies. Demons Are Traitors   It is the traitors who they have good reason to fear, and against whom they beg protection from our Lord. These latter are the demons who deceitfully transform themselves into Angels of light, and the enemies who disguise themselves until they have caused the greatest harm to the soul. They do not make known their real identity; but they gradually suck the very life-blood of our soul and destroy virtue, so that we fall into temptation without realizing it. These are the real adversaries from whom we should often beg our Lord to deliver us, when we recite the Pater Noster. Ask Him never to permit us to succumb to temptation, nor to become victims of illusion. Let us beseech Him to show us the poison. May our enemies never hide the light and truth from us. How right our Good Master was in teaching us this petition and addressing it to His Father for us! Danger of Delusions Realize that our hidden enemies can harm us in many ways. Do not think that it is solely by deluding us into believing that the joys and consolations they may bring, come from God. In my opinion, this is the least harm they can cause to souls. As a matter of fact, these joys and consolations may even inspire some to advance in the service of God. These joys may attract such souls to devote more time to prayer. Being ignorant of the influence of Satan over their souls, these persons unceasingly thank God and feel obliged to serve Him ever more fervently, particularly in view of their unworthiness of such favors. They should endeavor to show more fidelity, so that our Lord will add new graces to those they suppose themselves to have already received. Humility a Protection Against Satan Strive to be always humble. Realize that you are not worthy of such exalted graces, and do not seek them. I am convinced that in this way Satan loses many souls he had conceitedly looked upon as already ruined. Thus, from the evil Satan sought to cause, His Majesty draws good. Our Lord sees that our intention, in remaining close to Him in prayer, is to please and serve Him. And He is always faithful to His promises. Nevertheless, we should be on our guard so as not to offend against humility, or give way to vainglory. Beg our Lord to save you from such harm, and do not fear that His Majesty will permit you, for long, to receive consolations from anyone but Himself. Danger of Imaginary Virtues Unknown to ourselves, Satan may cause great harm by deluding us into the belief that we have virtues which in reality we do not possess. This is a real evil. Through heedlessness, we take a path that appears safe, and straightway we fall into a quagmire from which we cannot free ourselves. If we do not commit a mortal sin that drags us to Hell, at least our feet are fettered and we cannot follow the way of perfection. How can one walk when he has fallen into a deep marsh? He is doomed to finish his days there. He will be fortunate if he does not go deeper and fall into Hell. In all events, he will never make progress. If such misfortune is his state, he will be of no help to himself or to others. In fact, he would be harmful to them, for since the pit is already there, many who pass by the way can fall into it. But if the one sunk in the bog, climbs out and fills the pit with soil, no further harm will come to him or to others. I warn you then that the temptation by which the demon deludes us, causing us to think that we have virtues we do not really possess is a very dangerous one. I know this full well from experience. I can speak on this subject, although not so well as I should wish. Deceits of Satan Satan, for example, gives you to understand that you are poor. There is some truth in this, since you have made a vow of poverty to God, at least with the lips. He has even convinced prayerful persons of this. I have said, "with the lips," because it is impossible that Satan should keep us ensnared by this temptation for twenty years and even for a lifetime, if we fully realized what we promised, and had made this promise with heartfelt sincerity. Surely we should see that by such conduct we mislead the world and deceive ourselves. Need of Genuine Poverty We have made the promise of poverty. Or at least, we who believe ourselves poor say, "I do not desire any of the goods of this world, but I am keeping this object because it is essential, and I must live to serve God. After all, He wishes us to nourish our body." And thus we must offer deceitful excuses for a thousand different things which the demon, disguised as an Angel of light, represents as reasonable. He persuades us that we are already poor, and that since we really possess the virtue of poverty, we need not strive further to acquire it.   We cannot discover whether or not we have the virtue unless we examine our actions attentively. One who has an excessive interest in temporal things will not be slow to show it. However, a person who is truly poor has so little esteem for the goods of this world that he is never disquieted when, for one legitimate motive or another, he has to seek them. If he lacks something, he gives no further thought to it; if he becomes truly poor, he is not much preoccupied with his poverty. Earthly goods are for him not a primary, but only a secondary concern. His thoughts are more exalted. Danger of Superfluities Religious who are poor do not own anything, because at times they really have nothing to possess. But should someone give them something, rarely would they consider it superfluous. They are always happy to have something in reserve. If they can have a garment of finer cloth, they will not ask for cloth of coarser texture. They desire to possess a multiplicity of things, even though it be only a small reserve of funds to insure their needs should illness require more than ordinary care. Have you not promised God that you will not be preoccupied about the things of the world, and no matter what might happen, to abandon yourselves without reserve to His Providence? But if you are constantly concerned lest you lack something, would it not be preferable to have fixed revenues, as a means of avoiding anxieties? Furthermore, even though we may possess such revenues without sin, it is well for us to understand the imperfections we commit against poverty, so that we may see how far we are from possessing this virtue. And we ought to ask God for this poverty and strive to acquire it. For if we erroneously believe that we already have it, we shall pass up all opportunities to acquire it. And what is worse, we are living under an illusion. Genuine Humility   The same is true of the virtue of humility. It may appear that we do not seek the esteem of persons and that we are detached from everything. But hardly are we put to the test than our resentment and our actions manifest that we are not humble. Nor do we spurn the little esteem that we receive. In a similar fashion, the poor of whom I just spoke, do not refuse an object that can be of some slight advantage to them. And still God wills that they seek not themselves! Consolations From God When we receive joys and consolations from God, we feel that we on our part do nothing but accept these gifts from Him. Hence, we feel that we should serve God with greater fidelity in gratitude for them. On the other hand, when consolations come from Satan, we seem to think that we are the ones proffering the gifts to God, and that we are rendering Him a service that He must repay. And by these deceitful notions Satan gradually works the greatest harm in the soul. On the one hand, he weakens humility, while on the other, he makes us negligent in the acquiring of a virtue we mistakenly think we possess. Deceitful Consolations From Satan What remedy have we against this temptation? The best seems to be the one our Master gives us. He tells us to pray and to beg the Eternal Father not to permit us to fall into temptation. But I would suggest an additional remedy. If our Lord seems to have given you some particular virtue, consider it as a loan which He can withdraw at will. And this really often happens, though not without His special providence. I know this from personal experience. Sometimes I feel that I am very much detached from the things of the world, and at times I prove that I am. But at other times, on the contrary, I find myself so attached on certain points -----points about which perhaps I should have laughed on the preceding day-----that I can hardly recognize myself. Vacillating Character of Human Beings Sometimes I feel that I have great courage and that were it a matter of God's service, I would not recoil before any obstacle; and on certain occasions I have proved this. Nevertheless, on the following day I should not have the courage to kill an ant, for the love of God, even though I encountered the least probable difficulty in doing so. Again, at times I feel that I would be insensible to every kind of slander and calumny, and on several occasions I have proved the existence of such sentiments, and have even experienced joy in the trials. Nevertheless, there are days when a single word afflicts me and I long to leave this world, because everything wearies me. I am not the only person disturbed by such vacillations of temperament. I have verified this with certainty in persons much better than myself. Docile Dependence Upon God Since this is so, who among us can claim for themselves virtue or a wealth of virtues? At the very times we need these virtues most, we find ourselves absolutely destitute. On the contrary, let us consider ourselves as truly poor; and let us not contract debts which we cannot pay. Our treasure must come from another source. We never know when our Lord will leave us in the prison of our misery without aid from Him. If others consider us virtuous, or if they esteem and respect us, it is merely because of the virtues loaned to us. But if God should withdraw His hand, we and our admirers would become objects of ridicule. Undoubtedly, if we serve God in all humility, He will aid us in our needs. However, if this virtue is not deeply embedded in our souls, our Lord will desert us at every step. In His way He will show us how much He wants us to work to acquire humility, as well as His desire that we possess nothing except what we receive from Him. Dangerous Delusions From Satan Here is another counsel I would offer you. Satan deceives us into believing that we possess some virtue; for example, patience, because we make a resolution to suffer much for God, and also frequently express this desire. We fancy that we would really suffer everything for His glory. We are elated over such dispositions; and Satan for his part does not fail to attempt to persuade us that we actually possess them. However, do not place any faith in such virtues. Until they have been put to the actual test, do not think that you know even their name, much less that you have received them from God. For it will happen that even one single annoying word will suffice to exhaust your splendid store of patience. When you have much to suffer, thank God that He has begun to teach you this virtue of patience, and store up courage for further trials. Suffering is an indication that God wishes you to repay Him, for He has given you patience that you might exercise it, and might look upon it as a loan that can be recalled any time He wishes. Imaginary Poverty Another deceitful form of temptation lies in the ruse of Satan to delude us into thinking that we are very poor in spirit. As a matter of fact, we are accustomed to say that we desire nothing, and are concerned about nothing. But no sooner does a friend give us something that may not even be necessary, than our entire spirit of poverty vanishes. Since we have formed the habit of saying that we are poor in spirit, we finish by convincing ourselves, though without foundation, that we really are in fact. Watchfulness Against Illusions It is very important that we be on our guard to detect and realize the nature of this temptation, whether it concerns the virtues of which I have spoken, or a number of others. When our Lord bestows upon us one truly solid virtue, it appears to bring all the others in its train. This is a well-known fact. But I would warn you again always to dread illusions, even when you believe you possess only one virtue. A person who is truly humble is always doubtful of his virtues. He feels that the virtues of others are more genuine and solid than his own. Danger of Discouragement About Past Sins Let us be on our guard against a certain type of false humility that Satan suggests to us. He seeks to cast us into a state of anguish about the gravity of our sins. This is one point on which he disturbs souls in different ways. He even goes so far as to persuade them, on the plea of their unworthiness, not to receive Holy Communion and in particular, not to pray. If they approach the Sacred Table to receive Holy Communion, they wonder whether or not they are well prepared, and in this way they waste the time that should have been employed in drawing fruit from their graces. The anguish of these souls is so great at times, that they imagine that God has abandoned them because of their unworthiness. They almost doubt His mercy. Everything seems full of danger. Their good works, excellent though they be in themselves, they consider useless. Discouragement so enfeebles them that they consider themselves incapable of any good, because they fancy that all that is praiseworthy in others, is evil in them. Disquieting Effect of False Humility Consider attentively what I am about to say. It sometimes happens that a profound conviction of your own misery may be an act of humility and genuine virtue. At other times, however, this conviction may be a very subtle temptation. I know, because I have passed through this state.  Genuine humility, no matter how profound it may be, never disquiets, never disturbs the soul. Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy, and calm. Difference Between Genuine and False Humility Undoubtedly, the sight of its misery afflicts the soul and clearly shows it that it merits Hell. It feels, too, that in justice, all mankind should abhor it; and so it scarcely dares to beg for mercy. But when humility is genuine, this pain fills the soul with such sweetness and joy, that we would be sad without it. Genuine humility does not distress, nor does it contract the soul; on the contrary, it dilates the soul and renders it more capable of serving God. Such is not the effect of false humility. This latter troubles and distresses the soul, and completely upsets it in every way. It likewise fills one with bitterness. In my opinion, Satan's ruse is to destroy our confidence in God by making us believe that we have humility. We should value humility when it brings us the knowledge of our lowliness, accompanied, nevertheless, by true peace, joy, and consolation. If, on the contrary, the sense of our wretchedness troubles, disquiets, and contracts the soul, and hinders the intelligence from finding true peace, look upon it as a temptation of Satan. Do not, in that case, consider yourselves as genuinely humble. Such humility does not come from God. Thoughts of the Mercy of God During Trials   When you find yourself under such a trial, divert your thoughts as quickly as possible from the consideration of your own wretchedness. Fix you attention on the mercy of God, on the love which He bears us, and on the sufferings He has endured for us. If there is a real temptation, perhaps you may not succeed in doing this, for Satan will not leave your spirit in peace, but will bother you with things designed to weary you even more. In fact, it will indeed be a great deal if you even recognize such a state as a temptation. Danger of Excessive Penances Similarly, Satan seeks to urge us on to excessive penances. His intention here is to have us consider ourselves more mortified than others, and in this way to convince us that we are doing something. But if you do give yourself up to penitential practices, without the knowledge of your confessor Superior, or if you do not discontinue them when they bid you to, then be sure that you have succumbed to temptation. Strive rather to obey, no matter what it costs you, for it is in obedience that the highest perfection consists. And thus we should reason in all our undertakings. False Sense of Security Another very treacherous temptation of Satan is that of a false sense of security. It consists in a certain confident conviction that we could never return to our former faults, or to worldly pleasures. We seem convinced of the nothingness of the world, and of its fleeting character, and we imagine that our sole delight is the service of God. This temptation is particularly dangerous when it appears at the beginning of the spiritual life, because the soul, blinded by this sense of security, takes no precautions against the occasions of sin, and so succumbs to them. God grant that this second fall be not worse than the first!! Because Satan recognizes the harm this soul can do to him, and the use it can be to others, he loses no opportunity effectively to frustrate its efforts to regain its former meritorious state. Never permit yourselves, then, no matter what consolations and pledges of love you may have received from our Lord, to be lulled into such a false sense of security that you will not fear relapses into sin. Always be on your guard against dangerous occasions of sin. Genuine Candor With Spiritual Director Do not fail to make your spiritual favors and consolations known to someone who is capable of guiding you. Conceal nothing from him; for it is precisely here that Satan is wont to work havoc in many ways. Mail HOME-------------------------CATHOLIC CLASSICS www.catholictradition.org/Classics/pater-noster1.htm