Guide for the Journey

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), was one of the great Catholic mystics. Together with St. John of the Cross she was responsible for the great reform of the Carmelite Order. A profound spiritual teacher, she was also a very level-headed leader who had much practical advice for the sisters in her care, often speaking of the danger of sentimentalism and exaggeration in religion. She used common sense, down-to-earth language, e.g.: “When you are employed in domestic duties, as for instance in the kitchen, remember that the Lord walks amid the pots and pans, helping you in all things.”

Saint Teresa wrote several works which are considered classics of spiritual literature, including her Autobiography, The Interior Castle, and The Way of Perfection (from which the following excerpts are taken).

There is no need to go to heaven in order to speak with our Eternal Father or find delight in him. Nor is there ever any need to shout. However quietly we speak, God is near enough to hear us.

Neither is there any need for wings to go find God. All one need do is to find a place where one can be alone and to look upon God within oneself.

We serve the Divine Guest
God does not lead all souls by the same way. Saint Martha was holy, though we are never told she was a contemplative. What more do you want than to be able to grow to be like this blessed woman who deserved to receive Christ the Lord so often in her home, where she prepared meals and served him, and where he ate at her table?

If Martha had been absorbed in contemplation as her sister Mary was, there would have been no one to prepare a meal for this Divine Guest.

Imagine that our community is the house of St. Martha and that there must be people of all kinds here….Remember that someone must cook the meals, and count yourselves happy in being able to serve like Martha. True humility consists to a great extent in being ready for what the Lord desires to do with you and happy that he should do it, and in always considering yourselves unworthy to be called his servants.

If contemplation and prayer and tending the sick and serving in the house and working at even the lowliest tasks are of service to the Guest who comes to stay with us…, what should it matter to us if we do one of these things rather than another.

The humility God wants
Avoid being bashful with God, as some people are, in the belief that they are being humble. It would not be humility on your part if the King were to do you a favor and you refused to accept it; but you would be showing humility by taking it, and being pleased with it, yet realizing how far you are from deserving it.

A fine humility it would be if I had the Emperor of heaven and earth in my house, coming to it to do me a favor and to delight in my company, and I were
so humble that I would not answer his questions, nor remain with him, nor accept what he gave me, but left him alone.

Have nothing to do with that kind of humility, but speak with God as with a father, a brother, and a spouse—and, in one way or another, you will be taught what to do to please God.