Teresa has this powerful and relevant statement in this crisis of “moving on up” from the third dwelling places to the fourth dwelling places. Teresa describes it this way: “With humility present, this state (third dwelling places) is a most excellent one. If humility is lacking, we will remain here our whole life and with a thousand afflictions and miseries. For since we will not have abandoned ourselves, this state will be very laborious and burdensome. We shall be walking while weighed down with this mud of our human misery, which is not so with those who ascend to the remaining rooms.” (Interior Castle: 3.2.9)
The Contemplative Switch
This teaching of Teresa is truly insightful. The Gospels give us a marvelous vision into this struggle of “contemplative switch.” The stories of the rich young man, Peter’s rejection of Jesus and the woman with the twelve-year hemorrhage help us understand the process.
Teresa always connects the third dwelling places to the rich young man. As the Gospel states, “Jesus looked on him with love.” (Mk 10:21) When pushed to choose, “he became sad because he had many possessions.” (Mt 19;21) A fair description of his wealth in the time of Jesus would be two donkeys or a horse if he was truly rich, at least three sets of clothing, servants, land and a fancy outhouse. This incident is the only situation in all the Gospels where an individual directly rejects Jesus’ call.
Contrast that with the story of Peter’s denials. “At that instant while he was still speaking, the cock crew, the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…and he went out and wept bitterly.” ((Lk 23:60-62) Peter offers a beautiful picture of Teresa’s teaching on humility: the truth of our total dependence on the mercy of God. This is a profound experience of redemption for Peter – moving away from his self-righteousness and control, “even though I have to die with you I will never deny you.” (Mt 26:35), to abandonment to the merciful embrace of a loving God. This is a giant step on the road to contemplation.
A third person who helps us to understand this contemplative switch is the woman plagued with her disease for twelve years. In saying, “If only I can touch his cloak, I will be cured.” (Mt 9:21) The woman saw in Jesus not just hope for her physical healing but the fulfillment of the deepest longing in her heart. Her eyes of faith let her see in Jesus the mystery of love made flesh offering the totality of liberation, redemption and eternal life beginning now in this monumental encounter of love. Jesus said, “Courage daughter, your faith has saved you.” (Mt 9:22) This miracle, like others, is a symbol of the purifying and transforming experience of the new presence of God in contemplation.
These are our choices in the third dwelling places. We can reject the call and hug “our donkey” for security. We can continue the struggle in humility coming face to face with our spiritual poverty. We can “let go and let God” moving on to the deeper life of contemplation. The key for all of us is a life of deep personal prayer. This is the center of a mature spiritual life. Teresa’s program of humility, detachment and love for the brothers and sisters is the great support in this grand venture.
