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Gospel: John 15: 1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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In a recent interview, Pope Leo said the Church is in need of more “martyrs.” Not in the traditional sense of the word. Not people who witness to their faith, offering their life to God in a single act of courage.
But people who are “pruned,” by making small, ordinary sacrifices day after day; who persevere in prayer; who humble their ego; who put the needs of others first; who forgive ills; and who stand up for the truth.
This is a different type of martyrdom – one which happens slowly over the course of time – that can make any one of us a Saint. Today we celebrate a person who followed that path, Teresa of Avila.
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Teresa was a 16th century Spanish mystic, nun, and Church reformer.
Raised in a deeply religious household, she was inspired to enter into religious life as a Carmelite nun. However, after entering the convent, she became disillusioned by her peers’ lax practices, comfortable lives, and mingling with secular society.
They didn’t seem to be living the spirit of the Gospel. So, she started her own order known as the Discalced (or barefoot) Carmelites, whose rule of life was rooted in genuine poverty, simplicity, and prayer.
Sadly, Teresa faced significant hostility, even from within the Church. But she did not allow criticism, opposition, or naysayers to spoil her dream. She persevered, relying in particular on the strength given to her in prayer and the Eucharist.
Today, there are over 4,000 priests, 12,000 nuns and 40,000 laypeople who follow her rule of life.
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In addition to initiating Church reforms, Teresa was also known for her spiritual writings. Her most famous book being The Interior Castle, in which she identifies seven different stages that the soul journeys through as it reaches union with Christ.
A union that comes as we slowly die to ourselves.
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May Saint Teresa intercede for us today that we would become “living martyrs,” people who witness to our faith – not with a single act of courage – but in a thousand little ways until all people see in us is Christ.
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Image credits: (1) Wiggles and Wonder, Substack (2) Teresa of Avila, Caroline Myss (3) Catholic Art and Jewelry