"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 May 10-14:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 0
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Keep Striving
“Be confident! Don’t hold back your heart’s desires. Believe in the power of God. With his help, we will gradually reach the station that the saints attained. We just need to keep striving.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Maybe you have noticed that when I write my entries, I call St. Teresa either “Teresa of Avila” or just plain “Teresa.” Do you ever wonder why I don’t use her title?
During her lifetime, St. Teresa was striving to become God’s hands in the world in the same way many of us are striving today. After her death she was given the title of “St. Teresa,” but the title is not the most important thing. What we need to remember is that for much of her life, her hands were God’s hands in the world. Whether or not anyone else ever recognized it, the power of the Holy One worked through St. Teresa in her lifetime. And while she was doing that work, she was called Teresa.
My mother is called Eleanor, my husband is called Brad, my best friend is called Charlotte, and I am called Lezlie. At any moment we might be God’s hands in the world and the power of the Holy One might be working through us. God’s kingdom comes through the hands of the living saints who do not have titles and who often are not recognized; it comes through the hands of those who steadfastly do the work God asks them to do. For the living saints and for others who deeply desire to become God’s hands in the world, Teresa’s words are encouraging: “Be confident! Don’t hold back your heart’s desires. Believe in the power of God. With his help, we will gradually reach the station that the saints attained. We just need to keep striving.”
Maybe you have noticed that when I write my entries, I call St. Teresa either “Teresa of Avila” or just plain “Teresa.” Do you ever wonder why I don’t use her title?
During her lifetime, St. Teresa was striving to become God’s hands in the world in the same way many of us are striving today. After her death she was given the title of “St. Teresa,” but the title is not the most important thing. What we need to remember is that for much of her life, her hands were God’s hands in the world. Whether or not anyone else ever recognized it, the power of the Holy One worked through St. Teresa in her lifetime. And while she was doing that work, she was called Teresa.
My mother is called Eleanor, my husband is called Brad, my best friend is called Charlotte, and I am called Lezlie. At any moment we might be God’s hands in the world and the power of the Holy One might be working through us. God’s kingdom comes through the hands of the living saints who do not have titles and who often are not recognized; it comes through the hands of those who steadfastly do the work God asks them to do. For the living saints and for others who deeply desire to become God’s hands in the world, Teresa’s words are encouraging: “Be confident! Don’t hold back your heart’s desires. Believe in the power of God. With his help, we will gradually reach the station that the saints attained. We just need to keep striving.”
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 10
"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 May 3-7:
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 May 3-7:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Dipping Our Buckets
“It is clear that if the well is dry, we cannot put water into it. Still, it is equally true that we should never stop dipping our buckets. Because when there is water there, God uses it to multiply our virtues.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Today in centering prayer I had a dry-well day. Although I meant to stay true to my sacred word, my mind bounced from songs on the radio to e-mails at school and back again, never resting in the sacred word at all. Each time I would gently bring my thoughts back to the word, and each time I would stray away. I experienced no rest, no water, no consolation.
What happened this time in centering prayer is just exactly the way it goes for me many days. My mind moves here, there and everywhere throughout the twenty minutes. I experience no rest at all, just frustration with how much of me is in the prayer—my plans, my fun, my disappointments—and how little room is left to experience the Holy Presence. Even though these dry-well days are common, I persist in centering prayer as a way to move out of me, me, me into the world of the God who says, “I am the Living Water.”
Teresa understands my dilemma. She writes, “It is clear that if the well is dry, we cannot put water into it. Still, it is equally true that we should never stop dipping our buckets.” Today I dipped my bucket and the well was dry. Tomorrow I will dip my bucket and maybe I will feel a little wet sloshing on my wrists and hands...If not, I will continue to dip and dip and dip again, never losing hope in God's goodness and mercy. Please join me at the well!
Today in centering prayer I had a dry-well day. Although I meant to stay true to my sacred word, my mind bounced from songs on the radio to e-mails at school and back again, never resting in the sacred word at all. Each time I would gently bring my thoughts back to the word, and each time I would stray away. I experienced no rest, no water, no consolation.
What happened this time in centering prayer is just exactly the way it goes for me many days. My mind moves here, there and everywhere throughout the twenty minutes. I experience no rest at all, just frustration with how much of me is in the prayer—my plans, my fun, my disappointments—and how little room is left to experience the Holy Presence. Even though these dry-well days are common, I persist in centering prayer as a way to move out of me, me, me into the world of the God who says, “I am the Living Water.”
Teresa understands my dilemma. She writes, “It is clear that if the well is dry, we cannot put water into it. Still, it is equally true that we should never stop dipping our buckets.” Today I dipped my bucket and the well was dry. Tomorrow I will dip my bucket and maybe I will feel a little wet sloshing on my wrists and hands...If not, I will continue to dip and dip and dip again, never losing hope in God's goodness and mercy. Please join me at the well!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 9
"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 April 26-30:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
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 April 26-30:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 0
Thursday 1
Friday 1
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Lectio Divina
“It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Teresa of Avila, The Book of My Life (1562)
Lectio Divina is a gentle prayer that can reap bountiful rewards. It is “holy reading,” holding a sacred text close to mind, body and heart. Sometimes I use this prayer in groups, but it is also possible to pray this way by myself. Today I am using one of the lectionary texts for the week, Revelation 21:1-6:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.”
In Lectio Divina, I read a passage four times.
The first time I read the text and say a word that speaks to me. Today “behold” would be my word.
Then I read the passage again, listening for a phrase that speaks to me. Today “all things new” sings its way to my ears.
After the third reading, I think about the text and its meaning in my life. Today the reading helps me to think about how I don’t always need to be anxious about change because it can be good. All the changes listed in the text are good things: God will be with us; there will be no more tears, no more death; and the thirsty will drink their fill of living water forever and ever.
The fourth and last reading time brings contemplation. I sit in silence taking the passage in as though it is bread to eat. I hold it inside myself, close to my heart. This last part of Lectio Divina is a quiet, peaceful time. In that peace, I sometimes feel God nearby and I can carry that quiet inside of me for a long time.
Teresa says, “It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Lectio Divina can help lead our soul gently, and I believe the prayer of holy reading can bring strength, insight and inspiration to us any time of the day or night.
Lectio Divina is a gentle prayer that can reap bountiful rewards. It is “holy reading,” holding a sacred text close to mind, body and heart. Sometimes I use this prayer in groups, but it is also possible to pray this way by myself. Today I am using one of the lectionary texts for the week, Revelation 21:1-6:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment.”
In Lectio Divina, I read a passage four times.
The first time I read the text and say a word that speaks to me. Today “behold” would be my word.
Then I read the passage again, listening for a phrase that speaks to me. Today “all things new” sings its way to my ears.
After the third reading, I think about the text and its meaning in my life. Today the reading helps me to think about how I don’t always need to be anxious about change because it can be good. All the changes listed in the text are good things: God will be with us; there will be no more tears, no more death; and the thirsty will drink their fill of living water forever and ever.
The fourth and last reading time brings contemplation. I sit in silence taking the passage in as though it is bread to eat. I hold it inside myself, close to my heart. This last part of Lectio Divina is a quiet, peaceful time. In that peace, I sometimes feel God nearby and I can carry that quiet inside of me for a long time.
Teresa says, “It is of the utmost importance that we not drag our souls, as they say, but lead them gently.” Lectio Divina can help lead our soul gently, and I believe the prayer of holy reading can bring strength, insight and inspiration to us any time of the day or night.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday Prayer Report 8
"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 April 19-23:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 0
Grace and courage to you and to me!
Here is my "little by little" Friday prayer report for the week of April 19-23:
Monday 1
Tuesday 1
Wednesday 1
Thursday 1
Friday 0
Grace and courage to you and to me!
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