Sunday, July 27 : Saint Teresa of Avila

Oh, Sisters, how clearly one sees the degree to which love of neighbor is present in some of you, and how clearly one sees the deficiency in those who lack such perfection! If you were to understand how important this virtue is for us you wouldn’t engage in any other study. When I see souls very earnest in trying to understand the prayer they have and very sullen when they are in it – for it seems they don’t dare let their minds move or stir lest a bit of their spiritual delight and devotion be lost – it makes me realize how little they understand of the way by which union is attained; they think the whole matter lies in these things. No, Sisters, absolutely not; works are what the Lord wants! He desires that if you see a Sister who is sick to whom you can bring some relief, you have compassion for her and not worry about losing this devotion; and that if she is suffering pain, you also feel it; and that, if necessary, you fast so that she might eat – not so much for her sake as because you know it is your Lord’s desire. This is true union with his will.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team