Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Reading: Galatians 5:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48
Alleluia: Hebrews 4:12
Gospel: Luke 11:37-41
Today’s Readings Audio:
Saint Teresa of Jesus
St. Teresa of Jesus, also known as St. Teresa of Ávila, was born on March 28, 1515, in Ávila, Spain. She entered the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation in Ávila at the age of 20. She had a great influence of contemplative prayer and wrote The Interior Castle. She also helped with understanding how to have personal relationships with God and how those of us who work and live in the secular world can still employ the spiritual practices of the monastic life which her father was against. Within a couple of years of entering the convent, her health began to deteriorate.
St. Teresa was also a mystic and experienced deep and personal encounter with God which she wrote about in The Interior Castle and “The Life of the Saint”. She also founded a religious order called the Discalced Carmelite order that was a reform branch of the Carmelites. The Discalced Carmelites emphasized a more ascetic and contemplative way of life.
She died on October 4, 1582, and was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV along with St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Zavier, and St. Philip Neri. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church, the first woman to be given this title. 1
The Importance of Faith (Galatians 5:1-6)
St. Paul in today’s reading is once again stressing the importance of faith. Those who live in Christ Jesus are free men. They are not bound by works of the old law or circumcision, but they are bound by faith.
1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
How often do we get hung up in the Law? Even as Catholics we have the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and these are here to guide us. There are cases where the law needs to be applied, especially Canon 915 for those that are obstinate in their sin.2
Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
Code of Canon Law
And these cases are well worth the application of the Law, but there are many cases where we need to look at faith and look upon people with compassion. An example of this was that those who committed suicide in the past were not allowed to be buried in church cemeteries. As our understanding of this mental health issue has evolved, so has the church’s application of various policies.
We need to keep in mind that we have faith. We have free will and have the ability to exercise that faith and we are not simply bound by law in order to be one in Christ Jesus.
Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law (Luke 11:37-41)
In today’s gospel reading Jesus is invited into the house of a Pharisee.
38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
Luke 11:38
Jesus knows what is on the Pharisee’s mind. He then compares the Pharisees to cups and dishes, being clean on the outside but evil on the inside.
40 You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
Luke 11:40
The “maker” is God. He makes all of us and he knows our hearts, inside and out. Many of us walk around and we can sometimes put on a good show of being holy. But there can be a polished veneer that when we look into our own soul, there is rot. We need to humble ourselves and discover that it is not so much the outward appearance that God wants to see. He wants our hearts to be on him and our lives to be authentic representations of our love and devotion to Him.
We can say all of the prescribed prayers, we can know our Catechism backwards and forwards but if we do not have a heart of love for God, then it is simply whitewash on our souls.
Like St. Theresa of Jesus, we need to learn contemplative prayer and bring our not only our needs and our sorrows before God, but our thanksgiving and love of Him. I, more than anyone know this. My pastor and spiritual director tell me that I need to spend more time in contemplative prayer. I have a friend, and she helped me today as I was preparing this reflection and in so doing opened some old wounds that need to be healed. But they are only going to be healed if I ask Him for help and that is done in prayer.
St. Teresa of Ávila Prayer
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
Always follow Your plans,
And perfectly accomplish Your holy will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
Today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You may require of me.
Help me to respond to the slightest prompting of Your grace,
So that I may be your trustworthy instrument, for Your honor.
May your will be done in time and eternity – by me, in me, and through me.
Amen.
Today’s Music:
Von Dohlen, C. (n.d.) St. Teresa of Ávila – Who St. Teresa of Ávila Was, Her Feast Day, Carmelite Spirituality, Prayers & Quotes. https://hallow.com/blog/st-teresa-of-avila-prayers-quotes-feast-day/#Carmelite-nun
Code of Canon Law 915. https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib4-cann879-958_en.html