Each of you are aware of my respect for Sister Teresa of our current times. Anyone who can look into a leprous child’s face and see Jesus should demand anyone’s respect. Her life is exemplary. Her Nobel Prize should not surprise us because of her commitment to those in need of Christ’s love and knowing that God will exalt whom He will exalt. However, there is another Sister Teresa that made an impact during the time of the Reformation and Council of Trent.
Saint Teresa of Ávila (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582), was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and author during the Counter Reformation. Upon her mother’s death (at age 14) she entered the cloister of Augustinian nuns at Avila. After her arrival she fell ill for several years experiencing visions for over two years. These visions inspired her to her works in the years ahead as a theologian of the contemplative life. She was canonized by Pope Gregory XV, then named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970. She wrote seven books: Autobiography prior to 1567, The Way of Perfection also before 1567, “Meditations on Song of Songs”, (1567) “The Interior Castle”, (1577) “Relationships”, “Concepts of Love” and “Exclamaciones” in her later years. In addition, there are “Las Cartas” and her correspondence, of which there are 342 extant letters and 87 fragments of others. Her prose is marked by a grace, neatness, and a charming power of expression. Her poems (“Todas las poesías”, 1854) are distinguished with tenderness of feeling and rhythm of thought.
Teresa’s story is somewhat similar to one of my students at Westminster (UK) who was deathly ill for 10 years, but God healed her and called her to His service. Gabrielle has now been ordained in the Church of England and serves in London with a spirit-filled heart of enthusiasm that is contagious. She warms my heart every time I think of her because I know the challenges and uphill climb she faced as a woman in the Priesthood. I feel blessed to have been a part of her life, growth and development over the years and hold her in my highest esteem for her commitment to do what she was called to do after almost half of her life was spent in a hospital.
Gabrielle and Sister Teresa are examples of why we must never become discouraged or allow Satan to steal our joy or zeal for the Gospel. None of you have been deathly ill or contracted a horrible disease that literally dominated your life the way that theirs was. Yet you, and me, succumb occasionally to the temptation of “oh poor me” when life becomes a bit challenging. I look through scripture and can never find that quote from Jesus. Even when I read the Book of Job you can see that his complaints are put into perspective by God speaking through the whirlwind.
We have to keep life and the challenges we face in context of eternity. They are there to accomplish a higher purpose – one we cannot even imagine or figure out. When I consider Gabrielle, I shudder to think about what being bedridden for a decade was like. Yet, I know that every day she lives now is for God’s glory and His kingdom. I secretly wonder how many lives she will touch because of what she has been through – knowing that I will find out in eternity.
If you don’t count your blessings every day, think about doing so now. If you are not feeling grateful today, find something that will elevate your gratitude factor. If you see someone suffering today, regardless of whether you know them or not, pray for their physical, mental and spiritual healing. Who knows you may be releasing God’s power to produce another Gabrielle or Saint Teresa of Ávila.
Love Dad