The Royal Road to Heaven

Matthew 13:45,46 - The Pearl of Great Value
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."


 As the new year approaches its a time when I usually become even more introspective than other times throughout the year. Like many people I set goals and prioritize the year ahead. Prayer is so important in my life that it appears on my 2011 daily schedule. I've learned to make it an unmovable part of my day. It's that important.

As you read the words of Teresa of Avila below, my encouragement to you this year is to make a fresh commitment to prayer. There are many reasons we can find not to pray such as; busyness, lack of discipline, inexperience, and fears of all kinds. Set yourself up this year by pushing all those things aside and make time to pray. Its a spiritual daily disipline that yields more fruit in our lives than can even be calculated.

Praying all God's best to you and yours this coming year. - Todd
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"Do not be frightened by the many things you need to consider in order to begin this divine journey which is the royal road to heaven. A great treasure is gained by traveling this road; no wonder we have to pay what seems to us a high price. The time will come when you will understand how trifling everything is next to so precious a reward.

Now to those who want to journey on this road and continue until they reach the end, which is to drink from the water of life, I say that how they are to begin is very important - in fact, all important. They must have a great and very resolute determination to persevere until reaching the end come what may, happen what may, whatever work is involved, whatever criticism arises, whether they die on the road, or even if they don't have courage for the trials that are met, or if the whole world collapses. You will hear some persons frequently making objections: "there are dangers"; "so-and-so went astray by such means"; "another who prayed a great deal fell away"...

Hence, don't pay attention to the fears that raise or to the picture of the dangers they paint for you. Because whether we like it or not, we must all journey toward this fount, even though in different ways. Well, believe me; and don't let anyone deceive you by showing you a road other than that of prayer. 

Should anyone tell you that prayer is dangerous consider him the real danger and run from him. Don't forget this counsel, for perhaps you will need it. There will be danger in not having humility and the other virtues. But that the way of prayer be a way of danger - God would never will that. It seems the devil invented these fears.

And see how blind the world is, for they fail to consider the many thousand who have fallen into heresies and great evils because they didn't practice prayer but engaged in distractions. Those who take this reasoning as a refuge in order to free themselves should be on their guard, for they are running away from good in order to free themselves from evil. Never have I seen such wicked contrivance; it really seems to come from the devil.

Therefore, [Brothers and] Sisters, give up these fears; never pay attention in like matters to opinion of the crowd. Behold, these are not the times to believe everyone; believe only those who you see are walking in conformity with Christ's life. 

Leave aside, as I said, your fears - where there is no reason to fear. If someone should raise these fears to you, humbly explain the path to him. Tell him you have a rule that commands you to pray unceasingly - for that's what it command us, - and that you have to keep it." - Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)