St Teresa of Avila is one of the greats of the Catholic Church. From the time that she was a little girl, she wanted to be a martyr. She joined the Carmelites and was disappointed that it was pretty lax and uncommitted. So she began reforming the order, and founded several monasteries that followed a stricter and more intense, prayer filled rule. St John of the Cross helped lead the way with this new order. She began having mystical visions and ecstasies during her prayer time. She wrote several amazing books, especially The Interior Castle. St Therese of Lisieux (my favorite saint!) was a great admirer and was named (in part) after Teresa of Avila. You can read more about St Teresa here.
One thing Teresa taught was that we should live our Christian life out of the TRUTH of who we are. Not pretending to be someone else, but coming to terms with our own strengths, weaknesses, sinfulness, and holiness, and praying to God from that position of reality. How real were you with God today?
God, thanks for the wonderful example and teachings of this doctor of the church. St Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
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