To do and be many things in serving God and His people...
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus (October 15, 2019): ROM 6:22-27; PS 19:8,9,10,11; JN 15:1-8
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
On this Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, perhaps better known as St. Teresa of Avila, we honor a woman who was both contemplative and active, a mystic and a reformer.
Known for her intelligence, practicality and humor, as well as great courage, she returned the Carmelite order to its humble, austere roots. Born in Spain in 1515, Teresa and made her religious profession in 1534. For a time, her vocation seemed ordinary, but eventually, her prayer life blossomed, despite serious obstacles. She developed a close, mystical relationship with God and came to realize that He was calling her to reform the Carmelite order. She wrote and traveled extensively, attracting many to her Christ-focused way of life. We hear Jesus in today’s Gospel say, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). St. Teresa surely entrusted herself, body and soul to our Lord.
St. Teresa of Avila grasped the simplicity of how we are asked to lead our lives – whoever we are. She wrote, “There are only two duties that the Lord requires of us: the love of God, and the love of neighbor. And, in my opinion, the surest sign for our discovering our love to God is discovering our love to our neighbor.” She died at age 67 and was named a saint in 1622. Pope St. Paul VI designated her as a Doctor of the Church in 1970.
Suggested missionary action: Let us ask St. Teresa of Avila to pray for us and help us discover what needs renewal in our own lives. She can be a model for us as we strive to live simply.