Jan 17th. 2021: Love Enkindles and Melts the Soul
Praying is good therapy when we are under stress. Praying over what we read helps us to discover deeper meanings. Praying is acknowledging that God is with us and not indifferent to our human experiences. Praying is how we extend ourselves to others with God. Praying brings us closer to God and one another.
Here a few more gems from Teresa of Avila and my reflection. I hope that you find them helpful.
"The closer one approaches God, the simpler one becomes."
Simplicity, therefore, is our oneness with God. When that happens, we don't need to be so entrenched with this world and make our life complicated.
"Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul."
Nothing changes the condition of our human soul than the love of God itself. So if we claim that we live for God, our love will heal the souls of many.
"Always look at yourself as everyone's servant; look for Christ Our Lord in everyone, and you will then have respect and reverence for them all."
The angst we have experienced in our society today might be the outcome of the lack of respect and the absence of reverence for one another. Our leaders have failed us in how they portray their leadership in these areas.
"Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true."
The craziness of how we respond to the information we access via the internet is an example of how dangerous it is not to double-check what we read.
"The feeling remains that God is on the journey too."
This thought is my eternal comfort. God is with me in my journey of life. I am at peace with what I don't know and confident in what I know via God's revelation.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."