Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Ávila, V.D., (15th October, 2020) on the Gospel and the Memorial
Eph 1:1-10;
Ps 97:1-6. (R. v.2);
Lk 11:47-54.
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.
Topic: Last in the list.
Jesus further denounced the lawyers for being witnesses and also approving the killing of the prophets by their ancestors. He also said in part, “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” The concluding verses read, “When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.”
Jesus’ outright condemnation of evil brought against Him extreme hostility. The same measure awaits anyone who follows His footsteps, cf. Matt 10:25. He warns, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also” (Jn 15:20).
Expect no worldly crown for condemning evil. Even one’s brothers and sisters of the same faith may also misunderstand him/her. The last in the list to expect from the world for following Jesus is her approval. However, “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matt 5:11). We must always do the will of our Father in heaven, cf. Matt 7:21; Jn 5:30. He will grant justice to His people who cry to Him day and night without delay. However, it is important to keep faith, cf. Lk 18:7-8. God will wipe away the tears of His children, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, cf. Is 25:8.
Bible Reading: 2Cor 12:1-10.
Thought for today: God comforts His children.
Let us pray: Lord, we need your grace to always do your will – Amen.
Saint Teresa of Ávila – Pray for us.
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