Today is the 495th anniversary of Teresa’s birth in Avila, Spain. Her parents named her Teresa de Ahumada, when she joined her community she named herself Teresa of Jesus, and now she is best known as Teresa of Avila. I wonder what her parents would have thought if they had learned that nearly 500 years after her birth their dear Teresa would still be remembered in Spain and around the world. I imagine they would have been very surprised.
How are you celebrating Teresa’s day? I just took a walk by Lake Superior with my husband, Brad, and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day. The afternoon temperature was 42 degrees at 3:00 in the afternoon. I notice the afternoon temperature in Avila was predicted to be 69 degrees, so Teresa’s mother most likely had much better weather for Teresa’s birth than she would have had here. When you celebrate Teresa's birthday, I hope you'll do something you love with someone you love. I also hope that you'll think of Teresa who once wrote, “Even if we are just beginning on the path and are still very wretched, let us strive to carry this divine love with us wherever we go and to increasingly awaken ourselves in love.”
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 4
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 22-26:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 22-26:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Joyful Abandon
“As you embark on the spiritual path, try to remember to walk with joyful abandon.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
I am just back inside from a walk by Lake Superior, a beautiful breezy spring walk in Duluth, Minnesota, where we are experiencing 55 degrees on March 23. Because we are often in the middle of a heavy, wet snowstorm on March 23, I’m appreciating this day and relishing in it.
“Joyful abandon” is the best way to describe my walk today. I felt so fortunate to be outside in the afternoon because I’d expected to be at faculty meeting at St. Scholastica until 5 p.m. and then off to my centering prayer group at 6 p.m. During the faculty meeting, I found myself looking out the window with longing, knowing I wouldn’t have any time for a walk outside. The faculty meeting got done early, however, so I had time to walk with great happiness on the gravel path by my house. My knowing certainly isn’t God’s knowing…Help me to remember that! God even added a surprise to my walk…A friend I haven’t seen in years was also walking on the path with her new four-month-old puppy, Amelia. We stood in the sunshine on this glorious spring afternoon and enjoyed the pleasure of being together with rambunctious Amelia. It was a sweet moment of grace, unexpected and real.
Teresa writes, “As you embark on the spiritual path, try to remember to walk with joyful abandon.” What wonderful advice from Teresa! Let’s join her in walking with joyful abandon, today and every day, and may the Holy One bring us many unexpected pleasures along the way.
I am just back inside from a walk by Lake Superior, a beautiful breezy spring walk in Duluth, Minnesota, where we are experiencing 55 degrees on March 23. Because we are often in the middle of a heavy, wet snowstorm on March 23, I’m appreciating this day and relishing in it.
“Joyful abandon” is the best way to describe my walk today. I felt so fortunate to be outside in the afternoon because I’d expected to be at faculty meeting at St. Scholastica until 5 p.m. and then off to my centering prayer group at 6 p.m. During the faculty meeting, I found myself looking out the window with longing, knowing I wouldn’t have any time for a walk outside. The faculty meeting got done early, however, so I had time to walk with great happiness on the gravel path by my house. My knowing certainly isn’t God’s knowing…Help me to remember that! God even added a surprise to my walk…A friend I haven’t seen in years was also walking on the path with her new four-month-old puppy, Amelia. We stood in the sunshine on this glorious spring afternoon and enjoyed the pleasure of being together with rambunctious Amelia. It was a sweet moment of grace, unexpected and real.
Teresa writes, “As you embark on the spiritual path, try to remember to walk with joyful abandon.” What wonderful advice from Teresa! Let’s join her in walking with joyful abandon, today and every day, and may the Holy One bring us many unexpected pleasures along the way.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 3
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 15-19:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 15-19:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
St. Joseph
“If you cannot find a guide to teach you contemplative practice, appeal to St. Joseph, and I assure you this wondrous master will not lead you astray.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Yesterday all across the United States and in other parts of the world there were St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It seems everyone knows about St. Patrick’s Day now, even people who do not practice the Christian faith. Although there may be some who only think of it as an Irish holiday, most people know that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated because St. Patrick evangelized the Celts of Ireland to adopt Christianity.
As a Spanish Catholic living in Renaissance times, Teresa of Avila did not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; however, she was very fond of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and father to Jesus, and enjoyed celebrating his feast day on March 19. “I used to observe Saint Joseph’s feast with great ceremony,” Teresa writes. My friend Sister Katherine McLaughlin, CSJ, is affiliated with the St. Paul order of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Three years ago tomorrow my husband, Brad, our friend Patricia Hagen and two St. Scholastica students drove from where we live in Duluth to St. Paul for Sister Kathie’s 50th Jubilee anniversary on the Feast of St. Joseph.
What an excellent celebration it was! Good food, singing and rituals came first. Sister Kathie did some preaching—the sisters chose her to deliver the message—and there was even an appearance by St. Joseph himself, a giant puppet who slowly walked through the crowded room greeting all the celebrants. I think Teresa would have enjoyed the Feast of St. Joseph on Sister Kathie’s Jubilee.
St. Joseph is sometimes overlooked, but Teresa writes, “It is amazing to see all the mercy God has shown me and the perils, both physical and spiritual, from which he has rescued me through this blessed saint.” When she founded the Covent in Avila, she named it “St. Joseph’s” and she believed he had intervened on her behalf to cure her paralysis and other illnesses. She found much healing comfort in her prayer practice and gives much credit to St. Joseph for guiding her devotions.
May we find ourselves loved, healed and comforted by God, every day of our lives.
Yesterday all across the United States and in other parts of the world there were St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It seems everyone knows about St. Patrick’s Day now, even people who do not practice the Christian faith. Although there may be some who only think of it as an Irish holiday, most people know that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated because St. Patrick evangelized the Celts of Ireland to adopt Christianity.
As a Spanish Catholic living in Renaissance times, Teresa of Avila did not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; however, she was very fond of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and father to Jesus, and enjoyed celebrating his feast day on March 19. “I used to observe Saint Joseph’s feast with great ceremony,” Teresa writes. My friend Sister Katherine McLaughlin, CSJ, is affiliated with the St. Paul order of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Three years ago tomorrow my husband, Brad, our friend Patricia Hagen and two St. Scholastica students drove from where we live in Duluth to St. Paul for Sister Kathie’s 50th Jubilee anniversary on the Feast of St. Joseph.
What an excellent celebration it was! Good food, singing and rituals came first. Sister Kathie did some preaching—the sisters chose her to deliver the message—and there was even an appearance by St. Joseph himself, a giant puppet who slowly walked through the crowded room greeting all the celebrants. I think Teresa would have enjoyed the Feast of St. Joseph on Sister Kathie’s Jubilee.
St. Joseph is sometimes overlooked, but Teresa writes, “It is amazing to see all the mercy God has shown me and the perils, both physical and spiritual, from which he has rescued me through this blessed saint.” When she founded the Covent in Avila, she named it “St. Joseph’s” and she believed he had intervened on her behalf to cure her paralysis and other illnesses. She found much healing comfort in her prayer practice and gives much credit to St. Joseph for guiding her devotions.
May we find ourselves loved, healed and comforted by God, every day of our lives.
Monday, March 15, 2010
God is Here!
“As I sat in the oratory, weary to my core, I suddenly heard a voice say, ‘Have no fear, my daughter, for I AM, and I will never leave you. Have no fear.’” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
“Have no fear,” Teresa reports, because God is always with us, every minute of our days. No matter what happens in life, no matter what trials we face, we do not need to be afraid because God will never leave us. To remember God’s presence in our lives is to be bathed in grace, and that grace swirls around us continuously.
Although God’s grace is the spiritual reality of my life—“Lezlie, do not fear because God is here”—I am sorry to say I forget it without tangible ways to remind myself. One of the ways I remember is by using writing to bring the reality home in a way that sticks.
Once when I was speaking to a group of mothers of young children, I explored the steadfast presence of God by asking the mothers write for five minutes about whatever was the happiest thing in their lives. Then they turned over the paper and I asked them to write for five more minutes about whatever was the hardest thing in their lives. When they finished, they switched pens and pencils with their neighbors and I asked them to write all over both pages: “GOD IS HERE! GOD IS HERE! GOD IS HERE!” and “GOD IS MORE THAN HERE! GOD IS MORE THAN HERE! GOD IS MORE THAN HERE!” We had lots of fun doing this exercise, and it helped us all better remember that God is with us every minute, every day. Years later one of the mothers found her paper in a box of things she’d saved and she thanked me all over again. We relived together that moment of grace: God is with us!
Whether we are the happiest we have ever been or very sad and weary, we can hold on to the message Teresa of Avila heard so clearly: “Have no fear, my daughter, for I AM, and I will never leave you. Have no fear.” What a sweet moment of grace Teresa experienced! And that same sweet grace is available to us each moment…Thanks be to God who is with us always.
“Have no fear,” Teresa reports, because God is always with us, every minute of our days. No matter what happens in life, no matter what trials we face, we do not need to be afraid because God will never leave us. To remember God’s presence in our lives is to be bathed in grace, and that grace swirls around us continuously.
Although God’s grace is the spiritual reality of my life—“Lezlie, do not fear because God is here”—I am sorry to say I forget it without tangible ways to remind myself. One of the ways I remember is by using writing to bring the reality home in a way that sticks.
Once when I was speaking to a group of mothers of young children, I explored the steadfast presence of God by asking the mothers write for five minutes about whatever was the happiest thing in their lives. Then they turned over the paper and I asked them to write for five more minutes about whatever was the hardest thing in their lives. When they finished, they switched pens and pencils with their neighbors and I asked them to write all over both pages: “GOD IS HERE! GOD IS HERE! GOD IS HERE!” and “GOD IS MORE THAN HERE! GOD IS MORE THAN HERE! GOD IS MORE THAN HERE!” We had lots of fun doing this exercise, and it helped us all better remember that God is with us every minute, every day. Years later one of the mothers found her paper in a box of things she’d saved and she thanked me all over again. We relived together that moment of grace: God is with us!
Whether we are the happiest we have ever been or very sad and weary, we can hold on to the message Teresa of Avila heard so clearly: “Have no fear, my daughter, for I AM, and I will never leave you. Have no fear.” What a sweet moment of grace Teresa experienced! And that same sweet grace is available to us each moment…Thanks be to God who is with us always.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 2
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 8-12:
Monday 0
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1 (+1)
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 8-12:
Monday 0
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1 (+1)
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spiritual Reading
“When I was in prayer, I would try to keep Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Good, present within me. I would think about a scene in his life and then try to picture it with my mind’s eye. But what I liked best was to read good books.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
One of my favorite things to do is to read—my daughters gave me 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide for my birthday—and Teresa of Avila spends time in The Book of My Life discussing the joys of spiritual reading. Some of the books she mentions include The Third Spiritual Alphabet by Francisco de Osuna, The Morals of St. Gregory and the Confessions of St. Augustine. Teresa has “great affection” for St. Augustine, and I remember feeling an outpouring of love and delight toward him, too, as I read the Confessions ten years ago, more than four hundred years after Teresa would have made her way through the text.
What are some of your favorite spiritual books? Mine include Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen, The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris, The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila, The Holy Longing by Ronald Rohlheiser, Mystery and Manners by Flannery O’Connor, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, Praying our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp, The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages by Joan Chittister, The Story of a Soul by Thérèse of Lisieux, and Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle. These books are more than books to me. They have become friends or family members, and I know I am not alone in this response. In the same way we turn to the Bible in all the joys and sorrows of life, our favorite spiritual books guide us, inspire us, calm us and comfort us.
Teresa writes, “If I didn’t have a book, I would suffer from terrible aridity. The minute I found myself without something to read, my soul would become immediately agitated and my mind would start to wander. But as soon as I started reading, the words acted like bait to lure my soul and my thoughts began to collect themselves again. Sometimes it was enough just to know that I had a book beside me; I didn’t even have to open it. Sometimes I read just a little, sometimes a lot, depending on the mercy of God.”
Spiritual reading is one of the great delights in life. I encourage you to find a book that speaks to you and spend some time considering the wisdom you find there. I will do the same thing, too. And may God smile upon us and be gracious to us in our efforts.
One of my favorite things to do is to read—my daughters gave me 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide for my birthday—and Teresa of Avila spends time in The Book of My Life discussing the joys of spiritual reading. Some of the books she mentions include The Third Spiritual Alphabet by Francisco de Osuna, The Morals of St. Gregory and the Confessions of St. Augustine. Teresa has “great affection” for St. Augustine, and I remember feeling an outpouring of love and delight toward him, too, as I read the Confessions ten years ago, more than four hundred years after Teresa would have made her way through the text.
What are some of your favorite spiritual books? Mine include Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen, The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris, The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila, The Holy Longing by Ronald Rohlheiser, Mystery and Manners by Flannery O’Connor, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, Praying our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp, The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages by Joan Chittister, The Story of a Soul by Thérèse of Lisieux, and Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle. These books are more than books to me. They have become friends or family members, and I know I am not alone in this response. In the same way we turn to the Bible in all the joys and sorrows of life, our favorite spiritual books guide us, inspire us, calm us and comfort us.
Teresa writes, “If I didn’t have a book, I would suffer from terrible aridity. The minute I found myself without something to read, my soul would become immediately agitated and my mind would start to wander. But as soon as I started reading, the words acted like bait to lure my soul and my thoughts began to collect themselves again. Sometimes it was enough just to know that I had a book beside me; I didn’t even have to open it. Sometimes I read just a little, sometimes a lot, depending on the mercy of God.”
Spiritual reading is one of the great delights in life. I encourage you to find a book that speaks to you and spend some time considering the wisdom you find there. I will do the same thing, too. And may God smile upon us and be gracious to us in our efforts.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Who is Teresa of Avila?
Today is my 52nd birthday, and I am hoping this year will bring me the best gift ever…a deeper relationship with God. Because of this, I am embarking on The Wisdom Project—Teresa of Avila and Me. Some of you may be wondering, “Who is Teresa of Avila, and why are you interested in her?”
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), is a 16th-century Spanish mystic and church reformer whose spiritual writings continue to be read and studied today. Despite poor health and her low status as a woman, she made significant improvements to the Christian church during her lifetime, improvements which continue today through the influence of her spiritual writings.
Teresa writes that as a young woman she desperately wanted a more complete union with God, but she floundered—falling and rising and falling again—for twenty years. It reminds me of Paul's writing to the Romans: “I don’t do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil I do not want to do” (7:19). How many of us have this same experience? I certainly do, and this year I will be looking to Teresa for wisdom.
In the next 365 days—from this birthday to the next—I will be reading from Teresa of Avila’s Complete Works and I will be writing about the intersection of her life and ideas with the life I see around me. I plan to focus on two works: The Book of My Life and The Interior Castle; however, we will see what happens as the year goes on. Maybe another book will find its way into our time together…All I know for sure is that it will be Teresa and me all the way to year 53!
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), is a 16th-century Spanish mystic and church reformer whose spiritual writings continue to be read and studied today. Despite poor health and her low status as a woman, she made significant improvements to the Christian church during her lifetime, improvements which continue today through the influence of her spiritual writings.
Teresa writes that as a young woman she desperately wanted a more complete union with God, but she floundered—falling and rising and falling again—for twenty years. It reminds me of Paul's writing to the Romans: “I don’t do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil I do not want to do” (7:19). How many of us have this same experience? I certainly do, and this year I will be looking to Teresa for wisdom.
In the next 365 days—from this birthday to the next—I will be reading from Teresa of Avila’s Complete Works and I will be writing about the intersection of her life and ideas with the life I see around me. I plan to focus on two works: The Book of My Life and The Interior Castle; however, we will see what happens as the year goes on. Maybe another book will find its way into our time together…All I know for sure is that it will be Teresa and me all the way to year 53!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 1
"Whenever God gives a person the grace and courage to strive for this blessing with all her heart and soul, he is bestowing the greatest mercy. God does not deny himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little, he increases her courage, ensuring that she will reach her goal." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 1-5:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+ 1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of March 1-5:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1 (+ 1 with Centering Prayer Group)
Wednesday 1
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Connection and Companionship
"This is why I would advise anyone who practices prayer, at least in the beginning, to cultivate connection and companionship with like-minded souls. This is very important, because we can help each other make progress on the path of prayer and bring each other greater benefits." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
The Wisdom Project is a place to connect with others who are traveling on the spiritual journey. I have been praying more or less regularly for over ten years now, but it would be helpful if I could move from "more or less regularly" to "regularly." How do others do this? I am working to do morning centering prayer sits of 20 minutes in my wooden chair before 8:30 a.m. Given my flexible schedule, it is possible to meet this goal at least four out of five working days a week. I wonder why I don't.
It seems like practicing prayer is a little like practicing the piano. Showing up and sitting on the piano bench is the beginning of creating music. Showing up and sitting in the prayer chair is the beginning of creating wisdom.
Four out of five days doesn't seem that hard.
The Wisdom Project is a place to connect with others who are traveling on the spiritual journey. I have been praying more or less regularly for over ten years now, but it would be helpful if I could move from "more or less regularly" to "regularly." How do others do this? I am working to do morning centering prayer sits of 20 minutes in my wooden chair before 8:30 a.m. Given my flexible schedule, it is possible to meet this goal at least four out of five working days a week. I wonder why I don't.
It seems like practicing prayer is a little like practicing the piano. Showing up and sitting on the piano bench is the beginning of creating music. Showing up and sitting in the prayer chair is the beginning of creating wisdom.
Four out of five days doesn't seem that hard.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Wisdom Project
"I believe that when you discuss the trials and joys of the spiritual life for the sake of your friendship with God, you will benefit yourself and whomever you are sharing them with. Your own wisdom will increase, and without even knowing how you did it, you will contribute to the wisdom of your friends." Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
For this first post, I want to explain why I have started The Wisdom Project. Right now I am participating in the Shalom Program for Spiritual Direction at the St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. It is a two-year formal course of study, prayer and reflection. The program is helping me deepen my faith and learn how to be a soul friend to others.
One of the requirements of the course is to do a culminating project that encompasses learnings, experience and overall growth. My project is to read Teresa of Avila and discuss "the trials and joys of the spiritual life" with my Shalom friends and others from now until March 2011. Since my birthday is March 8 and I will be 52 next week, it will be Teresa and me all the way to year 53.
For this first post, I want to explain why I have started The Wisdom Project. Right now I am participating in the Shalom Program for Spiritual Direction at the St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. It is a two-year formal course of study, prayer and reflection. The program is helping me deepen my faith and learn how to be a soul friend to others.
One of the requirements of the course is to do a culminating project that encompasses learnings, experience and overall growth. My project is to read Teresa of Avila and discuss "the trials and joys of the spiritual life" with my Shalom friends and others from now until March 2011. Since my birthday is March 8 and I will be 52 next week, it will be Teresa and me all the way to year 53.
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