BTP#6 Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles: Heaven In Faith Day 3 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

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Episode 6 “Heaven in Faith” Day 3 Prayer 2 – “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God”

This episode with Dr. Anthony Lillis and Kris McGregor

Dr. Lilles discusses the concept of spiritual death, where the soul, aspiring to be close to God, must detach and surrender itself entirely to divine will, transcending earthly attachments. This process is likened to St. Paul’s teaching about dying to oneself daily, allowing Christ to increase within. The discussion touches upon the dark night of the soul, as described by St. John of the Cross, emphasizing that such experiences, though challenging, are avenues for profound encounters with God, beyond mere understanding or feeling.

The episode delves into the necessity of trusting God amidst sufferings and renunciations, illustrating this through personal anecdotes and the experiences of saints like Teresa of Avila. It addresses the human struggle with attachments, guilt, and the reality of death, urging listeners to embrace these realities not as ends in themselves but as means to deeper union with God.

In summary, the episode underscores the transformative power of divine love and the call to surrender fully to God, highlighting the paradox that true life in Christ requires a willingness to undergo spiritual death and detachment.

Day 3 Second Prayer

11. “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” St. Paul comes to bring us a light to guide us on the pathway of the abyss. “You have died!” What does that mean but that the soul that aspires to live close to God “in the invincible fortress of holy recollection” must be “set apart, stripped, and withdrawn from all things” (in spirit). This soul “finds within itself a simple ascending movement of love to God, whatever creatures may do; it is invincible to things which” pass away, “for it transcends them, seeking God alone.”

12. “Quotidie morior.” “I die daily.” I decrease, I renounce self more each day so that Christ may increase in me and be exalted; I “remain” very little “in the depths of my poverty.” I see “my nothingness, my misery, my weakness; I perceive that I am incapable of progress, of perseverance; I see the multitude of my shortcomings, my defects; I appear in my indigence.” “I fall down in my misery, confessing my distress, and I display it before the mercy” of my Master. “Quotidie morior.” I place the joy of my soul (as to the will, not sensible feelings) in everything that can immolate, destroy, or humble me, for I want to make room for my Master. I live no longer I, but He lives in me: I no longer want “to live my own life, but to be transformed in Jesus Christ so that my life may be more divine than human,” so that the Father in bending attentively over me can recognize the image of His beloved Son in whom He has placed all His delight.

Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity, vol. 1 (featuring a General Introduction and Major Spiritual Writings) (Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Work) (pp. 97-98). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Self-Reflection and Renunciation: How do you understand the concept of “dying daily” in your spiritual life, and are there specific attachments or desires you feel called to renounce to grow closer to God?
Trust in God Amidst Suffering: Reflect on a time you experienced suffering or desolation. How did you respond to God during this time, and how can you cultivate a deeper trust in God despite difficulties?
Encountering God in Darkness: How do you relate to the idea of the “dark night of the soul” as described by St. John of the Cross? Can you identify any periods in your life that might reflect this experience, and what did they teach you about your relationship with God?
Spiritual Growth through Renunciation: Consider the areas in your life where God might be asking you to make space for Him through renunciation. What steps can you take to respond to this call?
The Role of Prayer in Surrender: Reflect on your prayer life. How does prayer help you to surrender more fully to God, and how might you deepen your prayer life to facilitate this surrender?
Learning from the Saints: How do the experiences and teachings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. Teresa of Avila inspire you in your spiritual journey? What specific aspect of their spiritual lives resonates with you the most?
Love and Sacrifice: The podcast mentions that to love is to do so at one’s own expense. How do you understand this statement in the context of your faith and daily life? How does it challenge you to live out your Christian vocation?

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .