Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Teresa of Ávila, V.D., (15th October, 2016) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
Eph 1:15-23;
Ps 8:2-7. (R. cf. v. 7);Lk 12:8-12.
Saint Teresa of Ávila (28th March, 1515 - 4th
October, 1582) was born in Ávila, Spain. As a teenager, she cared only about
boys, clothes, flirting, and rebelling. At the age of 16, she was sent to a
convent because her father saw her as one out of control. She started to learn
and practice mental prayer when she was installed a permanent member of the
Carmelite Order. Everyone liked her and she liked to be liked. This however often
led her to ignore God. Although wasn't sinning, but she was very attached to
her friends until God asked her to stop. God then always came first in her
life. At the age of 43, she resolved to found a new convent that would embrace a
simple life of poverty and devoted to prayer. She was opposed from both
religious and secular circles. However, soon she had postulants clamouring to
get into her reformed convents. Her ideas about prayer swept not only through
Spain but all of Europe. She died at the age of 67, beatified on 24th
April, 1614 by Pope Paul V, and canonized on 12th March, 1622 by
Pope Gregory XV. Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 for her
writing and teaching on prayer. She is the founder of the Discalced Carmelites
and the patron saint of Headache sufferers.[1]
Topic: Acknowledging Christ.
Jesus told us in today’s gospel, “...I tell you, everyone who
acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the
angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the
angels of God.”
These words of Jesus sound so sweet that often we forget that
the call has a price tag. Jesus also told us, “...they will deliver you up to
tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my
name's sake” (Matt 24:9; cf. Matt 10:22a;
Mk 13:13a; Lk 21:17).
Saint Teresa of Ávila we celebrate today is a very good
example. The papal nuncio described her as “a restless disobedient gadabout who
has gone about teaching as though she were a professor.” And the nuns who voted
her in as prioress in her former convent were excommunicated by the leader of
the Carmelite order. She was opposed by other religious orders.
Today, we celebrate her not just as a Saint of God but also
as a virgin and a Doctor of the church. This confirms the words of Jesus, “...he
who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt
10:22b; cf. MK 13:13b).
Dear friends, while deciding for Jesus, know it that it
involves weeping and lamenting. But we should not be discouraged because the
sorrows of His disciples will certainly turn into joy, cf. Jn 16:20.
Bible Reading: Matt 10:16-25. 24:9-14.
Thought for today: Between temporal sorrows and eternal damnation.
Let us pray: Lord, assist us to damn every temporal
sorrow that will come our way as we acknowledge you before our brothers and
sisters – Amen.
Saint Teresa of Ávila – Pray for us.
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