Today we take a few minutes to reflect on insights from three Teresa saints:

 

St. Teresa of Avila said, "Perhaps we do not know what love is, nor does this greatly surprise me. Love does not consist in great sweetness of devotion, but in a fervent determination to strive to please God in all things, in avoiding, as far as possible, all that would offend Him, and in praying for the increase of the glory and honor of His Son and for the growth of the Catholic Church."  [An excerpt from Interior Castle, p.54-55]

 

St. Teresa of Calcutta shared this insight, "The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace."

 

St. Therese of Lisieux wrote, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”   [Story of a Soul]

 

 

The Teresa’s trusted in the Lord and His promises.  Trust is fundamental to loving God, loving others and loving ourselves.  “Linda Taylor was putting her three [little children] to bed.  Suddenly Peggy who had just begun kindergarten, said “Mommy, if the world came to an end, right now …”

 

Linda gulped and said a quick prayer for guidance; “Yes, dear,” she said, “go on.”  Peggy said, “Would I have to take my library book back, or would it be okay to leave it at home?”  Peggy’s innocent question invites us to reflect on how ready we are to meet our maker right now?  (Action, Cycle C, Sunday, Ordinary Time, p.300) 

 

We should prepare for the end of the world, and/or the end of our life, by the way we live our life each day, start today!

 

May God Be Praised!

 

 

 

 

Pray!  “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” You are my refuge and my hope, I turn to you during this COVID 19 Pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….”

[Psalm 143 and Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]

 

Provide strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Send Your light to me as I wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give me hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]