Wrote this for Writers Group on June 11, 2011. Meant to make it a commentary – and then Teresa actually arrived!
My First Conversation with St. Teresa of Avila in Several Years!
I?ll have to check, but it may have been over 5 years since I wrote directly to St. Teresa of Avila. Maybe 4 years ago, I wrote a blog about small books I had bought in a new age store, while visiting my Ft. Meyers sister, on St. Teresa and on Francis of Assisi.
I?ve been talking to her occasionally lately, after a long delay. And actually asking for Her assistance with my work, which I don?t think I?ve ever done before. Mainly with getting my books finished and out to the marketplace. Haven?t felt any answers, but haven?t really asked for any. Have just sent those requests out into the Universe, wherever She?s hanging out.
Feels like She?s here ? my cheeks are warm, my skin is tingling, pretty much all over. So let?s commence!
I think I?m just over my rants about her flogging and starving her beautiful self. That lifetime was long ago and far away. She was of that time and place.
So what of today? What are her messages for this time and place?
Does Teresa have a comment on today?s Catholic church hierarchy and pope? What I?m feeling is a coldness from Her about all this ? as though She?s left all that behind. She?s with the people of the church, and finds them beautiful. She?s not even looking at the various bishops and potentates. She won?t turn Her head that way.
What message does Teresa have for women today? I feel warm embracing. Joy and fun, a grin. She likes all the choices and challenges and changes women are putting forward. She is very proud of today?s Muslim women, and their willingness to stand for the truth and the future.
How about the earth changes we?re experiencing, Teresa? Grief, grimness ? and yet a lot of hope. She was an excellent administrator, got a lot of work done in her lifetime ? organizing and managing convents and nuns, public relations and communications, advocacy. She wants us to get busy on this problem. We can do it. Just takes nitty gritty work, no quitting allowed, stay in community for support.
How about the Arab Spring? Anything to report in that arena? More joy, some grimness. She wants her sons and daughters to continue the work, to keep pushing for change, knowing they will make centuries of changes in a very short time. Victory ? big splashy victory ? though painful, will come to every corner.
(Of course, Her time was not long after the Moors (= Moroccans = Arabs) were expelled from Spain.) (As well as the Jews ? She was always in danger from the Inquisition ? her grandfather was almost certainly Jewish.)
A final word? Joy. Live for Joy. The old days are gone. We need to keep living in the world we are trying to make, and keep our faces turned from the rest. Speak only of the new world, play, eat and sleep in the new vision.