October 15, 2009
Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church
[A]ll have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God--to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26
“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” Luke 11:52
Piety
“Would you like to see how God treats those who make this prayer from their hearts? Ask the glorious Son of God, who made it thus in the Garden. Think with what resolution and fullness of desire he prayed; and consider if the will of God was not perfectly fulfilled in him through the trials, sufferings, insults and persecutions which God gave him, until at last his life ended with death on a cross.”
“So you see what was given to God’s best beloved, and from this you can understand what God’s will is. These, then, are the divine gifts in this world. God gives them in proportion to the love which God bears us. More is given to those who are loved most, and less to those who are loved least; and God gives in accordance with the courage that each of us has and the love which we bear to the divine Majesty. When God sees a soul who loves God greatly, God knows that soul can suffer much, whereas one who loves God little will suffer little. For my part, I believe that love is the measure of our ability to bear crosses, whether great or small.”
From The Way of Perfection by Teresa of Avila.
Study
Cursillo helps us to discover the key to knowledge…and sometimes we need a guide to that rediscovery. For that voyage of discovery, Cursillo provides sponsors, team members and group reunion. In the same way, the Church provides not just the clergy and laity, but also an entire cloud of witnesses. Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Teresa of Avila, one of only three women to attain the honored title of Doctor of the Church, and guides us in a special way on that journey.
Teresa reformed the Carmelite order much in the same way Jesus called on the Pharisees in today’s Gospel to change their ways. The Pharisees had actually become hindrances to true union with God. Today, may all people who seek to reform institutions share in the spirit and commitment of Teresa to help us obtain union with God.
According to one biographical essay, "St. Teresa teaches us that prayer is a journey and a road to and with God. The road may be rocky but we must know that God will be there to carry us through those rough times. St. Teresa says that no soul on this road is such a giant that it does not often need to become a child at the breast again. This means that we need to be nourished by our Mother of the Church who offers us a wide variety of prayer. Just be prepared and aware; St. Teresa assures us that Jesus treats His friends with the heaviest crosses. That is why He has so few friends. Special graces are given to those who generously carry the heavy cross, pray daily and come to him. "
"Teresa of Avila recounted an incident when she was sick and suffering and feeling miserable, and Jesus told her that is how he treats His friends. Teresa replied that it was no wonder that Jesus had so few friends."
Action
The 119th Men’s Cursillo starts tonight at Missionhurst and a quote from St. Teresa’s autobiography seems an appropriate interlude here: “If people have Christ Jesus with them as Friend and loving Guide, they can put up with anything. For Christ helps and strengthens us, he never abandons us, and is a sincere and true Friend.”
Cursillo is all about reintroducing the candidates to Jesus as Friend and loving Guide. Just think about what you have heard candidates say on weekends in their witness and at Closing. Let us pray that the team members are guided by the Holy Spirit and St. Teresa to be leaders who know the way, show the way and go the way. May our friendship with Jesus enable us to cherish our friendships with each other.
In her book The Way of Perfection, Teresa expounds upon what our Friend and loving Guide will provide: “Do not fear that God will give you riches or pleasures or honors or any such earthly things; God’s love for you is not so poor as that. And God sets a very high value on what you give in return…”
Help us to be committed to the work of this movement called Cursillo and to this Christian church. Please check the website: www.Arlingtoncursillo.org for all information on the candidates list, a few spaces left on the Palanca calendar and a volunteer for lunch on Friday and Sunday's activities.
