麻豆约拍

Good morning 鈥�

Today in the church we celebrate the saint, Teresa of 脕vila. A prominent Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun, Teresa became a leading voice and theologian of contemplative 聽prayer.

For someone who openly spoke about her struggle to pray, she persevered discovering new ways to sit in God's presence and pray. She described contemplative prayer as, "a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.鈥� Her teaching and reflections hold much significance for us today as we try to find space and purpose in the busyness of life.

From the beginning of human history, up until 2003, experts believe that the human race created in total an estimated 5 billion gigabytes of data. 聽聽Remarkably now this amount of data is generated every 10 minutes. The speed and pace of life is increasing rapidly.

And so Teresa of Avila's encouragement to rest in the presence of God and enjoy his friendship and love, could be the gateway many of us need to find much needed space.

聽聽Jesus鈥� name is Yeshua in Hebrew, derived from the root word Yasha which literally means 鈥渢o make a wide space.鈥� In effect in Christ, we find a spacious place. The world may be trying to squeeze us, but God wants to give us rest.

So we pray with Teresa of 脕vila;

Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.聽

Amen