Teresa (1515-1582) was a Catholic who lived during the time of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. She isn’t much known by Protestants. As a teenager she was interested primarily in boys, clothes, flirting and rebelling, so her father put her in a Carmelite convent in hopes that they could get her under control. How successful they were was a matter of opinion as can be seen in this prayer attributed to her:

From silly devotions
and from sour-faced saints,
good Lord, deliver us.

After a nearly fatal illness, she began to have experiences of religious ecstasy, an experience reflected in Bernini’s famous sculpture of Teresa.

Teresa became concerned about the laxity she found in her convent and started a reform that would observe a stricter life style. Her efforts were strenuously opposed by some of the leaders and an inquisition was launched against her. Teresa prevailed, however, and was able to found the Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites.       

She wrote extensively on mental prayer and mysticism. She defined mental (or contemplative) prayer as “nothing other than a close sharing between friends. It means frequently taking time to be alone with Him whom we know loves us.”

I like Teresa just because she never does what was expected of her. A troublesome teenager became a tremendously important figure in the church. Maybe there’s hope for me yet.

Let nothing disturb thee,
Let nothing affright thee;
All passeth away:
God only shall stay.
Patience wins all:
Who hath God, needeth nothing;
For God is his All.
“Exclamations of the Soul to God”

Read Luke 12:32 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne