"The devil sets up another dangerous temptation: self-assurance in the thought that we will in no way return to our past faults and worldly pleasures: 'for now I have understood the world and know that all things come to an end and that the things of God give me greater delight.' If this self-assurance is present in beginners, it is very dangerous because with it a person doesn't take care against entering once more into the occasion of sin, and he falls flat; please God the relapse will not bring something much worse. For since the devil sees that he is dealing with a soul that can do him harm and bring profit to others, he uses all his power that it might not rise." - St. Teresa of Avila, Way of Perfection 39: 4
Thanks for the quote. And also the photo is so so so appropriate. I always imagine the devil is hidden in a manhole (person-hole).
ReplyDeletePlease tell me where is this sculpture? Public art interests me. I was trained as a landscape architect before becoming a friar.
Thanks.
Brother William - I grabbed the image off a website I Googled and neglected to link to - But the sculpture is in Belgium.
ReplyDeleteBrother - found it:
ReplyDeleteA sculpture of a man being tripped up. Next to the Brussels-Charleroi Canal at Sainctelette-plein.
Thanks. I have been following your blog for quite a while. It seems you are a professional artist. Where did you have your training?
ReplyDeleteBrother William, thanks - you must be one of the view I haven't scared away - LOL!
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I studied locally at the University of Minnesota but I tend to be more self-taught, if that makes sense.
You must be one of those no-nonsense Minnesotans, as portrayed in the A Prairie Home Companion, although your name doesn't sound German. I know from your blogs that you go to the Cathedral and not some parochial church like OL of Perpetual Responsibility....
ReplyDeleteBTW is it difficult to make a living as an artist?
I'm pretty nonsensical - and yes - it can be difficult to make a living as an artist - if one is like me. I never accepted jobs or commisions I didn't want to do.
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