Teresa of Avila Archives - Page 5 of 6

Four Waters

Carmelite homily for Friday, November 29, 2019 – Lectionary 507

One of Teresa of Avila’s best-known images is that of water. She writes, “It seems the garden can be watered in four ways; you may draw water from a well, or by means of a water wheel, or it may flow from a river or stream, or the water may be provided by a great deal of rain.” What she is talking about is prayer; and the love and the life that comes from prayer. You notice that each of those is easier and easier. You can haul water from the well. Or easier yet, from a water wheel. Or easier yet, irrigation from a river. Or easiest of all, rain. The more we pray, the more we live, the more we love, the more our garden grows. So Jesus talks about the fig in springtime when it’s just opening. But I think the goal is not to just recognize when it’s opening, but to bring it to full bloom and to full harvest, in his love and in his life.

God Gives the Hundredfold

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 499 | Wednesday, November 20, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have the retelling of the coin parable. This is in Luke’s Gospel where each servant is given one coin and when the master returns they present the one coin. And the first says, “I’ve earned ten,” and the second says, “I’ve earned five,” and the third says, “I’ve buried it and put it in a handkerchief.” It doesn’t matter what coins you get because, I think Saint Teresa of Avila tells us, “Never cease to believe that even in this life God gives the hundredfold.” If we work with God, no matter what coins we get – one or ten – even in this life God gives the hundredfold.

Strikingly Shrewd

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 489 – Friday, November 8, 2019

We have a very interesting parable Gospel passage today – about the shrewd steward who lessens everyone’s invoice so they feel indebted to him and take him in when he’s fired. And Jesus admires this! Why? Maybe because the steward shows gumption and creativity. And that’s what Jesus wants. Even the great Teresa of Avila says, “I was strikingly shrewd when it came to mischief.” I think that’s the call of today’s Gospel – to be strikingly shrewd. Jesus seems to like it.

Looking At Christ Who Is Looking At Us

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 488 – Thursday, November 7, 2019

In today’s Gospel we have two parables, very similar – the lost sheep and the lost coin. Jesus is looking for us. But Teresa of Avila reminds us that we should be looking for Jesus. She writes, “We should occupy ourselves in looking at Christ who is looking at us.”

Freedom of Spirit

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 487 – Wednesday, November 6, 2019

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says whoever does not take up his cross and follow him is not worthy to be his disciple. But Jesus doesn’t say why. Why should we take up this cross? But Teresa of Avila answers it. She says, “If you wish to gain freedom of spirit begin by not being afraid of the cross.” Because it is the crosses of our lives that pull us past ego, past fear, past self-appetites, past selfishness – and self. It is the cross that brings us to freedom. So if you wish to gain freedom, begin by not being afraid of the cross.

Under the Pretext of Serving You

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 486 – Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Saint Teresa of Avila has an interesting and thought-provoking line. She says, “What a pity it was to have left you, my Lord, under the pretext of serving you.” Oftentimes, yes, we’re busy with the chaos of our lives, our busy minds, you know; but sometimes we leave the Lord because we think we’re serving the Lord. It’s easier to do something than it is to pray. Or do something than it is to be silent. Or do something than it is to introspect. Yes, I think she’s right – it is a pity when we leave the Lord under the pretext of serving the Lord. This is an extra warning in today’s Gospel when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God being like a banquet and all the invited guests bow out one by one. Are we doing the same?

Immensely Rich

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 485 – Monday, November 4, 2019

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to invite to the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame – in a word, everybody – to a banquet that we hold. We think, “How can we do this?” Teresa of Avila reminds us. She says, “How can we share our gifts lavishly if we do not understand that we are rich?” That’s how we can do this. We are immensely rich. We can share with everybody.

Gifts that are Best for Us

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 475 – Wednesday, October 23, 2019

In The Way of Perfection, Saint Teresa of Avila writes, “The Lord gives us gifts that are for our best, but we are quite capable of flinging them back in his face, because we want to cash in for the wealth we can understand.” I think that fits in well with today’s Gospel.

No Greatness Without Love

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 470 – Thursday, October 17, 2019

It seems that all the Carmelite writers have the same quotation – maybe they’re quoting each other, but it’s a good one. “The Lord will never look at the greatness of your deeds; only upon the love with which they are done.” In today’s Gospel we have Jesus condemning the people because they’re defending the faith, and going after him and each other, and building great monuments. They’re doing all sorts of things that are laudatory, but no love in them. I think this quotation from John of the Cross, from Teresa of Avila, from Therese of Lisieux, from ‘you name that Carmelite author’, it’s there: “The Lord will never look at the greatness of your deeds; only upon the love with which they are done.” Whatever you do today, no matter how great, do it with love.

The Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila

Carmelite homily for Lectionary 657 – Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Today we celebrate a great one! This is the Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila. My favorite quotation of hers comes from one of her letters. She writes (it’s a prayer), “Lord, I do not think I can give you everything that you ask of me; but I will allow you to take it, and I pray that I do not try and prevent you.” It’s a great prayer because it’s so real; it’s so human. We think we can give everything to God, but, ahhhh. Things that are too close to our ego, to our reputation, to our appetites; ahh, maybe not those Lord. She’s being really human here. But then she’s a great saint because she says, “but I will allow you to take it.” I don’t think we have to give that stuff up – the Lord will take it from us. And then she’s back to human and real when she says, “and I pray that I do not try and prevent you.”

In today’s Gospel we have the vine and the branches and Jesus says that he will prune those branches. What a great Gospel for this Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila!