October 15 2024 - St. Teresa of Avila - Reforming the heart through prayer

 Today we celebrate the Feast of Theresa of Avila, virgin, and doctor of the Church. Together with St. John of the Cross, she labored to reform the Carmelite order which had grown worldly and lukewarm in the 16th century. And yet, before undertaking the work of reforming the Carmelite order, she first worked to reform herself.  

For many years, after her religious consecration she was herself was lukewarm about prayer. She had difficulty committing her mind and heart to prayer, especially when prayer felt so dry and arid. 

But as she learned to quiet her mind, and quiet her heart, she grew in prayer, and would become absorbed in deep contemplation. In fact, she would occasionally become so absorbed in divine contemplation, her body would spontaneously levitate. And at times, she would become so overwhelmed with divine love, it felt like the illumining grace of God would wash her soul away. 

Most of us are far from surrendering so deeply to God in prayer, but Theresa offers a wonderful starting point in the following prayer. She writes:

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

So simple, yet, like so many simple things, so profound. It is a reminder that everything in this life including our own physical life will change, that ultimately, all things--our possessions, our health, will all slip away.  So nothing need disturb us as long as we are clinging to God.

We waste so much time worrying about things we cannot change, but true peace is discovered when we allow ourselves to experience the truth that God alone suffices. Unlike time devoted to worrying and fretting, time devoted to prayer in which we seek the face of God is never wasted.  In prayer, we surrender our life, and learn to love God as the path of life unfolds.  

St. Teresa teaches us that the true reformer first reforms themselves, and to seek God ardently by detaching ourselves from worldly anxieties through simplicity, penance, and prayer.  

May St. Teresa help us to be set aflame with the longing for true holiness, and to strive for the Christian perfection for which we were made, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, that they may lead the faithful in seeking and growing in authentic Christian holiness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our world, often caught up in materialism and instant gratification, that it may discover the value of patience and the sufficiency of God's love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the Carmelites and all religious orders and communities, that they may remain faithful to their charisms and be beacons of God's love in the world. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel spiritually dry or distant from God, that they may persevere in prayer and experience the transforming power of divine love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all of us gathered here, that we may learn to detach ourselves from worldly concerns and trust more fully in God's providence. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those burdened by anxiety and fear, and for all those suffering from mental illness, addiction, or any type of illness: that the grace of Christ may console and strengthen them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.