Day 3: Spiritual Guides
Daily Meditation
St. Teresa of Jesus discovered the power of prayer and meditation with the Third Spiritual Alphabet by franciscan priest Francisco de Osuna (1492-1540). De Osuna's approach to prayer spoke greatly to St. Teresa, as it allowed for more liberty in meditation. According to the priest, it is more important to love than to think during prayer. Teresa favored this method, which she felt was more freeing than other forms of prayer.
The confessions of St. Augustine were also of significant to St. Teresa of Ávila , who wrote: "Saint Augustine says that after seeking God is many places, He finally found Him in himself. Well, do you not think that it would serve a distracted soul to understand this truth, and to know that there is no need to go to Heaven to speak with the Eternal Father, to enjoy His delights? No need to raise one's voice to talk with Him: He hears us, even at the lowest that we can speak."
Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not have their existence in you, they had no existence at all. You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.
St. Augustine
John of the Cross was a close spiritual friend of Teresa's. He is also considered as one of the greatest Christian mystics in Spain.
In 1568, John of the Cross founded the first Discalced Carmelite Convents near Ávila. Additionally, he is the author of the following works: Ascent of Mount Carmel (Subida del Monte Carmelo), Dark Night of the Soul (Noche oscura), Living Flame of Love (Llama de amor viva), and Spiritual Canticle.
Let Us Pray with St. John of The Cross
"O Blessed Jesus,
Give me stillness of soul in Thee,
Let Thy mighty calmness rule in me.
Rule me,O Thou King of gentleness,King of Peace.
Give me control,great power of self-control,
Control over my thoughts,words,actions.
from all irritability,
want of meekness,
want of gentleness
Dear Lord deliver me.
By Thine own deep patience,
give me patience,
stillness of soul in Thee.
Make me in this and in all,
More and more like Thee.
Amen."
St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church
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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6