A saint’s quote about joy (Teresa of Avila)

/
“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”
— St. Teresa of Avila

Joy is an essential aspect of Christianity, and it is a sign of the presence of God in our lives. This was a teaching emphasized by Pope Francis, who encouraged religious priests and nuns to show the world their joy and to spread the good news of the Gospel. He reminded them that if they do not have the joy of their faith, they cannot bear witness and others will see Christianity as a sad and gloomy religion.

St. Teresa of Avila, a mystic and founder of monasteries, understood the importance of joy in the Christian faith. Despite her own struggles with migraines and busy schedules, she encouraged the sisters in her monasteries to express their love and joy for Christ through music and dance.

In life, we all go through cycles of happiness and unhappiness. However, as Christians, we can always experience and express deep joy, the type that cannot be diminished by anything that comes our way. This is because we trust in God and have faith in His love for us, as demonstrated through the sacrifice of His son Jesus on the cross. The Holy Spirit guides us and gives us the grace to live in accordance with God's will, and through this, we can have the joy of Jesus in our hearts and hope for eternal life in heaven.

As we strive to live in God's presence, let us pray for his joy to fill our hearts and shine His light on others. As Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11)

Be blessed!

Be notified of new posts

St Teresa of Avila: May today there be peace within

/
“May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.”
— St. Teresa of Avila

Be notified of new posts

He is the brightness of eternal glory

/

Happy the soul to whom it is given to attain this life with Christ, to cleave with all one’s heart to him whose beauty all the heavenly hosts behold forever, whose love inflames our love, the contemplation of whom is our refreshment, whose graciousness is our delight, whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, whose remembrance makes us glow with happiness, whose fragrance revives the dead, the glorious vision of whom will be the happiness of all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. For he is the brightness of eternal glory, the splendor of eternal light, the mirror without spot.

St. Clare of Assisi

Inspirational Quote about Mental Prayer

/
“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”
— Saint Teresa of Avila

From unceasing thinking to unceasing praying

/
“Our minds are always active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is “unceasing.” Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love. Let’s break out of our isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.”

Henri Nouwen

Only for today

/

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

The daily decalogue of Pope John XXIII