October 15, 2020 Reflection – Let nothing disturb you…
Let nothing disturb you… October 15, 2020 St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila), Virgin, Doctor of the Church Dear Family of Mary! It seems that we are living in a very disturbing and frightening time. I could list the many fears and concerns we all have, but it would not be helpful. We all know the dangers and uncertainties that face us. But we also know that we have a God who loves us completely. There is no possibility that we could run far enough to be outside of His loving embrace. He will never leave us alone. But there are times when we don’t feel God’s love, and our minds cannot convince us that He is near. There are times when we are tested and need to recommit ourselves to the Lord by exercising our faith. We do believe in the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. We do believe in Jesus Christ, His only Begotten Son. We do believe in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Those moments of sheer faith are precious to God and to us. It is at those moments that we solidify our deep commitment to the Lord and show Him that we trust Him. Today is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Jesus, the great Carmelite Mystic who wrote so purely about the Lord, and how to find Him through prayer. But there is one prayer/poem that she wrote that captures the sheer power of faith in God in such a simple way, that it quells all fear. In so few words, St. Teresa said so much. It is good to pray this prayer often, especially when we are being tried by the difficulties of our lives. Here is the prayer by St. Teresa of Avila: Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things will pass away. God never changes; patience obtains all things, whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices. Amen. God alone suffices. This is the bottom line. Do we believe in His love at the bottom of our fears and uncertainties? Our Lady gave us a message that is similarly helpful for those moment of fear and the need for faith: “Dear Children! As a mother, I implore you, open your heart and offer it to me, and fear nothing. I will be with you and will teach you how to put Jesus in the first place. I will teach you to love Him and to belong to Him completely. Comprehend, dear children that without my Son there is no salvation. You should become aware that He is your beginning and your end. Only with this awareness can you be happy and merit eternal life. As your mother, I desire this for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” March 18, 2002 God is our beginning and our end. He is our future and our past. He is our present. His love will never change for us. With God we will never lack. He is enough. Our Lady lived this beautiful faith each day of her earthly life, and she knows it is true. Mother please pray for us to follow you into that complete faith in your Son. Jesus, I trust in You. May our hearts rest in the love of our Lord. In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Cathy Nolan ©Mary TV 2020