Category: Teresa of Avila

Carmelite homily for Friday, February 21, 2020 – Lectionary 339 (Mark 8:34-9:1)

On the cover of the most recent issue of the Sword, a Carmelite publication, there’s a picture of Jesus carrying the cross followed by a bunch of Carmelites all dressed in the white part of their habit, this part, carrying their cross.  They’re all carrying the cross.  And that seems to be what today’s Gospel is asking us – that we all need to carry the cross.  But why? I think Teresa of Avila has a great answer.  Here’s what she writes, “If the soil is well-cultivated by trials, persecutions, criticisms, and illnesses – for few there must be who reach this stage without them – and it is softened by living in great detachment from self-interest, the water soaks in so deep that one is never dry.”  That’s why the cross.  To sum up, to get us past our ego, our desire, me, I; and to get me to Jesus, to the other, to God.  That’s why the cross.  

Carmelite homily for Wednesday, February 12, 2020 – Lectionary 331 (Mark 7:14-23)

Saint Teresa of Avila’s best known work is called The Interior Castle, where she uses the image of ‘castle’ to be you or to be me.  And that our journey is a journey deeper and deeper into the castle.  At the very beginning of the book she writes, “We consider our soul to be like a castle made entirely out of diamond; a paradise where the Lord finds his delight.”  In today’s Gospel we have all that comes out of the man defiles him; but what else is in the man but goodness and life and the Lord himself, where the Lord finds his delight.  So I think the deeper we penetrate the castle, the deeper we understand ourselves, the deeper we know ourselves, the less defilement and the more aggrandizement, the more goodness, the more love, the more life.  That’s the invitation of today’s Gospel.  

Carmelite homily for Tuesday, February 11, 2020 – Lectionary 330 (Mark 7:1-13)

In today’s Gospel we have Jesus condemning loopholes.  The people are called to do the weightier things of the Law, like take care of one another or honor parents; and they get out of it by loopholes.  Well, Jesus condemns these loopholes.  Saint Teresa of Avila writes, “Let us walk with sincerity before God aiming at pleasing him alone and not people.”  Because if we’re working on loopholes, we’re working not for the good of the people, and definitely not the will of God, nor our own growth.  So let us work at pleasing God today.  

Carmelite homily for Saturday, February 8, 2020 – Lectionary 328 (Mark 6:30-34)

In the Gospel passage we have for today Jesus takes the disciples and crosses the lake to a deserted spot so they can get some rest.  But the crowds follow and that’s that.  But the invitation is to not to forgo rest, but to find the deserted spots, to relax, and refresh and rejuvenate – and to pray.  Saint Teresa of Avila says, “Prayer means taking time frequently to be alone with him we know loves us.”  That’s the invitation of today’s Gospel passage.  

Carmelite homily for Thursday, January 30, 2020 – Lectionary 320 (Mark 4:21-25)

In her book, The Way of Perfection, Saint Teresa of Avila, of course, speaks about perfection.  And here’s what she writes (this is very good!), “Zeal for perfection is in itself a good thing.  But it could follow that every fault the sisters commit will seem to you a serious breach and you will be careful to observe when they commit them.  And when they commit them go and inform the prioress.  Often you don’t see your own faults because of your intense zeal for the religious observance of everybody else.  So let each one look to herself only, for perfection consists of love of God and love of neighbor; whereas, perfectionism comes from the devil.”  In today’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about how everything hidden will be made known, will be revealed.  Let’s not make that our job.  Let’s make our job zeal for perfection in love of God and love of neighbor, and let God take care of everything else.  As Teresa of Avila warns us – anything else comes from the devil. 

Carmelite homily for Friday, January 17, 2020 – Lectionary 309

In today’s Gospel we have the well-known story of a group of men bringing their friend, who’s a paralytic, to Jesus.  But can’t get near him because of the crowds, so they climb up on the roof with that man, open up the roof, and lower the stretcher down in front of Jesus.  Quite the feat.  Teresa of Avila says, “God accords great favor with anyone placed with good companions.”  Of course, she means the foundation of her new convents, reformed convents, but I think that rule applies to a lot larger than that.  When we have good friends, caring friends, supportive friends, great accords come our way.

Carmelite homily for Thursday, January 16, 2020 – Lectionary 308

In today’s Gospel we have a leper come to Jesus and asking to be made clean; and Jesus does heal the leprosy, does make the man clean.  Teresa of Avila says, “Don’t you think, Lord, it would be good that the inn where you have chosen to dwell were not to get so dirty?”  Actually, I think, the inn is supposed to be dirty.  That’s where our mission is.  This man’s mission was in his leprosy.  With the cleansing he went out and proclaimed the good news.  We oftentimes think of these things as afflictions or problems or failings.  They’re actually blessings and gifts from God.  So, yes, the inn is to be dirty – for the Lord to cleanse and us to proclaim. 

Carmelite homily for Wednesday, January 15, 2020 – Lectionary 307

In today’s Gospel Jesus is doing good deeds.  He cures Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.  He drives out demons.  At the end of the day he goes to pray, but they follow him.  He comes back to do more good deeds.  Oftentimes we think there might be a tension between my need for prayer and my need for a relationship with God and all the work I have to do.  But they shouldn’t be in conflict.  Teresa of Avila says, “The reason for prayer: good works, good works.”  They are tied together.  Or as Teresa of Avila will also say, “Martha and Mary must combine.”  The reason for prayer: good works.  Let us pray and let us do good works.  Amen.

Carmelite homily for Tuesday, January 14, 2020 – Lectionary 306

In today’s Gospel Jesus enters the synagogue and there’s a man there who says, “what are you here for? are you here to destroy us?”  And instead of destroying him, Jesus frees him.  The question is: why would the man be there in the first place?  He wanted to be free!  Teresa of Avila says, “May the Lord be praised who freed me from myself.”  Oftentimes that’s the demon.  The demon is ourselves – our problems, our predispositions – us.  Jesus will free us, from us.  May the Lord be praised who freed me from myself. 

Carmelite homily for Sunday, December 15, 2019 – Lectionary 007 (Third Sunday of Advent)

In today’s Gospel we have John the Baptist, who the early Carmelites said was a Carmelite, a member of the Order, because he’s dressed like Elijah – camel’s hair, leather belt.  But what does it really mean to be a Carmelite?  What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?  Because that’s what John the Baptist is asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to look for another?”  And Jesus describes what he is doing.  That’s what it means to be a follower.  Saint Teresa of Avila writes, “Being a friar doesn’t consist in the habit – I mean wearing it – but in enjoying the state of higher perfection, which is what it means to be a true friar.”  That’s what Jesus is asking of John: are you a true friar?  That’s what Jesus is asking of us: are you a true friar?  Higher perfection, doing the works of Jesus, living in love.