“I cannot understand how humility exists, or can exist without love, or love without humility, and it is impossible for these two virtues to exist save where there is great detachment from all created things.”
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) in The Way of Perfection as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. Rosemary Ellen Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 61.
Detachment from things is the only way to come to the point of ever enjoying and sharing them in a manner that exhibits love and humility. I have learned this from wife, Jenni, whose birthday I celebrate today. I honor her today because her life reflects this truth.
Don’t misinterpret it. Teresa is not saying we must detach from things because they are bad. She’s saying that when we are attached to created things, which demand our time, attention, allegiance, etc…it hinders our ability to attach to the uncreated One (that would be God) who is love and humility.
Conversely, when we are attached to God, who is love and humility, the Holy Spirit conforms us to His image and we are free to share His abundant love and humility with others. That’s generosity. I see all this in my wife. Happy birthday Jenni!
Why is there so little generosity in the world today? I think it is because far too many people are attached to created things. What about you? Are you attached to created things or the uncreated One?