Aided by Spirit, Propelled by Grace by Beth DeCristofaro
Memorial
of Saint Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our
weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself
intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the
Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27)
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in
me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone
who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither (John 15:5-6)
Piety
“’It is time to walk’, to set out on the
paths of joy, of prayer, of fraternity, of time lived as graced! Let us be taken by the hand of St Teresa as
we go through the journey of life. May
her footsteps always lead us to Jesus.”[i]
Study
Paul and Teresa lived in turbulent times. Neither of them gave up on either their
dogged discipleship or their incredible positivity that with God, all things are
indeed possible. As a child, Teresa
longed to be a missionary. Instead, she
spent her life right in Avila, her hometown.
Paul traveled the world. Both evangelized,
wrote and taught from, being rooted, at home, in their spiritual journeys.
As close to us as anyone, including
ourselves, Jesus is the conduit of the life that God has given us. Theresa of
Avila’s writings are of life’s path to God and prayer is a dialogue with God
without which we are in danger of losing our way. Paul taught that the Spirit aids us and
Theresa envisioned that as we spend time in prayer we become more able to be with
and move in concert with the Spirit, coming closer to the fulfillment of union with
Christ. However, this happens due to God’s
grace. We place our hearts in a state of
love then act in love which is the essence of prayer.
Theresa felt that friendship with Jesus
defined her prayer. She felt actual
friendship with saints. She believed that friends in Christ, including worldly
ones, are vital to the Christian life.
And for Theresa, joy in the journey was a necessity no matter the
mundane tasks of life. As she reformed
the Carmelite order she taught this necessity to all her congregations and practiced
it herself. Small committed communities
are encouraging, faithful society of friends with which to make our way along
the path to Christ.
Action
How is your community bearing you along on your path to
Christ? How are you bearing others along
with you? Are there reforms you need to make
or simply a joyful recommitment?
[i]
Message of Pope Francis
to the Bishop of Avila on the occasion of the opening
of the Teresian Jubilee Year
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20141015_messaggio-500-teresa-avila.html
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