Capítulo 14. En que trata lo mucho que importa no dar profesión a ninguna que vaya contrario su espíritu de las cosas que quedan dichas.
Discerning the Vocation
Teresa emphasizes the necessity of testing the intentions and intellectual capacity of those entering the religious life to ensure they align with the community's spirit.
I truly believe the Lord greatly favors those who are well-determined, and for this reason, we must consider the intention of those who enter, lest it be merely for their own remedy, as happens to many. The Lord can perfect this intention if the person has good understanding; otherwise, they shouldn't proceed at all, for they will neither understand how they enter nor later how to guide those who wish to lead them to what is better. Because, for the most part, those who have this flaw always seem to them that they know better what is suitable than the wisest; and I consider it an incurable evil because, by some wonder, they cease to bring along malice. Where there are many, it can be tolerated, but among so few, it cannot be endured. A good understanding, if it begins to be inclined toward good, should cling to it with strength, because it sees that it is the most correct; and when it doesn't benefit much spiritually, it will still be beneficial for good counsel and for many things, without tiring anyone. When this is lacking, I don't know what benefit it can bring to the community, and it could cause a lot of harm. This lack is not seen very soon, because many speak well but understand poorly, and others speak briefly and not very clearly, yet they have understanding for much good. There are some holy simplicities that know little about worldly business and style, but a lot about dealing with God. For this reason, a significant amount of information is required to accept them, and a long period of testing is needed before they can be professed. Let the world understand once that you have the freedom to express them, for in a monastery where there are harshnesses, there are many occasions, and as it is used, they will not take it as an offense.
The Weight of Responsibility
The author warns against compromising standards for the sake of social comfort or financial gain, urging superiors to remain vigilant for the sake of the community's spiritual treasure.
I say this because these times are so unfortunate and our weakness is so great that it's not enough to have it as a command from our predecessors for us to stop looking at what the present has taken as honorable in order not to offend the dead. May God grant that we do not have to pay for what we have accepted in the next life, for there is never a lack of a color with which we make ourselves understood when we suffer to do it. And this is a matter that each one should consider for herself and commend to God, and encourage the superior, for it is something of great importance. I pray that God gives you light on this, because there is much good in not accepting gifts. When they are accepted, it can happen that by not returning the money—which they no longer have—they leave the thief in the house to steal their treasure, which is a great pity. In this case, you shouldn't take anything from anyone, because it would harm those you intend to benefit.
Read the original Latin
Bien creo que favorece el Señor mucho a quien bien se determina, y por eso se ha de mirar qué intento tiene la que entra, no sea sólo por remediarse (como) acaecerá a muchas), puesto que el Señor puede perfeccionar este intento, si es persona de buen entendimiento, que si no, en ninguna manera se tome; porque ni ella se entenderá cómo entra, ni después a las que la quisieren poner en lo mejor. Porque, por la mayor parte, quien esta falta tiene, siempre les parece atinan más lo que les conviene que los más sabios; y es mal que le tengo por incurable, porque por maravilla deja de traer consigo malicia. Adonde hay muchas, podráse tolerar, y entre tan pocas no se podrá sufrir.
Un buen entendimiento, si se comienza a aficionar al bien, ásese a él con fortaleza, porque ve es lo más acertado; y cuando no aproveche para mucho espíritu, aprovechará para buen consejo y para hartas cosas, sin cansar a nadie. Cuando éste falta, yo no sé para qué puede aprovechar en comunidad, y podría dañar harto. Esta falta no se ve muy en breve, porque muchas hablan bien y entienden mal, y otras hablan corto y no muy cortado, y tienen entendimiento para mucho bien. Que hay unas simplicidades santas que saben poco para negocios y estilo de mundo, y mucho para tratar con Dios. Por eso es menester gran información para tomarlas y larga probación para hacerlas profesas. Entienda una vez el mundo que tenéis libertad para echarlas, que en monasterio donde hay asperezas, muchas ocasiones hay, y como se use, no lo tendrán por agravio.
Digo esto, porque son tan desventurados estos tiempos y tanta nuestra flaqueza, que no basta tenerlo por mandamiento de nuestros pasados, para que dejemos de mirar lo que han tomado por honra los presentes para no agraviar los deudos. Plega a Dios no lo paguemos en la otra vida las que las admitimos, que nunca falta un color con que nos hacemos entender se sufre hacerlo.
Y éste es un negocio que cada una por sí le había de mirar y encomendar a Dios y animar a la prelada, pues es cosa que tanto importa. Y así suplico a Dios en ello os dé luz, que harto bien tenéis en no recibir dotes, que adonde se toman podría acaecer que por no tornar a dar el dinero -que ya no lo tienen- dejen el ladrón en casa que les robe el tesoro, que no es pequeña lástima. Vosotras, para en este caso, no la tengáis de nadie, porque será dañar a quien pretendéis hacer provecho.
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