Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, a great Catholic reformer and doctor of the Church.
She entered the Carmelite convent because at the time it was a comfortable and safe place to be, a ‘sensible’ place to be.
She underwent a religious conversion experience. This happened gradually. She began to grow in prayer and the contemplative life.
She started a reform in her own Order which led to the formation of the ‘Discalced Carmelites’. She underwent fierce opposition and persecution from those who wanted a more comfortable life. St. John of the Cross was one of her followers and, together with others, ended up in prison because of their commitment to the reform.
She was a down-to-earth and practical woman, as well as a deeply mystical contemplative.
Some sayings of St. Teresa:
For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.
I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can – namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.
I do not fear Satan half as much as I fear those who fear him (in other words forgetting God’s love and protection).
Accustom yourself continuously to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.
Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass, God does not change. Patience achieves everything.
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love. It is there for each and every one of us!
The closer one approaches God, the simpler one becomes.
Truth suffers, but never dies.
To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that.
You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.
