St Teresa Of Avila Quotes

In the tradition of Julian of Norwich and St. Teresa of Avila and all the other mystics, we can learn to render ourselves vulnerable to the "favors of God" - those indescribable experiences that mock our dualisms and so saturate our imagination with abundance that they transcend our ability to convey joy and wonder. In the tradition of St. John of the Cross, we can learn to survive and derive benefits from the soul's dark night. ~ Brian D. McLaren

I would write a thousand foolish things that one might be to the point, if only it might make us praise God more. ~ Teresa Of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila once said: "We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us." For Christians not of the prosperity persuasion, surrender is a virtue; the writings of the saints are full of commands to "let go" and to submit yourself to what seems to be the will of the Almighty. All of American culture and pop psychology scream against that. Never give up on your dreams! Just keep knocking, that door is about to open! Think positively! Self-improvement guaranteed!! The entire motivational-speaking industry rests on the assumption that you can have what you want, you can be what you want. Just do it.
When prosperity believers live out their daily struggles with smiles on their faces, sometimes I want to applaud. They confront the impossible and joyfully insist that God make a way. They obediently put miracle oil on their failing bodies. They give large offerings to the church and expect great things. They stubbornly get out of their hospital beds and declare themselves healed, and every now and then, it works.
They are addicted to self-rule, and so am I. ~ Kate Bowler

The love of God does not consist in tears or in this delight ad tenderness, which for the greater part we desire and find consolation in; but it consists in serving with justice and fortitude of soil and in humility. Without such service it seems to me we would be receiving everything and giving nothing. ~ St. Teresa Of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila wrote: 'All difficulties in prayer can be traced to one cause: praying as if God were absent.' This is the conviction that we bring with us from early childhood and apply to everyday life and to our lives in general. It gets stronger as we grow up, unless we are touched by the Gospel and begin the spiritual journey. This journey is a process of dismantling the monumental illusion that God is distant or absent. ~ Thomas Keating

She knew that it was better to have a dream and pay a price for it than to be lukewarm. - regarding St. Teresa of Avila ~ Mark Salzman

What is it we buy with this money we desire? Is it something valuable? Is it something lasting? Oh, why do we desire it? Miserable is the rest achieved that costs so dearly. ~ St. Teresa Of Avila

In choosing candidates for this challenging way of life, she emphasised intelligence and good judgment ("GOD PRESERVE US FROM STUPID NUNS !! )

. It was her conviction that intelligent people can better be aware of their faults and, at the same time, see the need to be guided. ~ St Teresa Of Avila

We are weakness itself, and unless He guards the city, in vain shall we labor to defend it. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices. ~ Teresa Of Avila

God aids the valiant ... both to you and to me He will give the help needed. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquillity. ~ Teresa Of Avila

It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not always be the same. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Out of suffering comes the serious mind; out of salvation, the grateful heart; out of endurance, fortitude; out of deliverance faith. Patient endurance attends to all things. ~ Teresa Of Avila

When the soul, through its own fault ... becomes rooted in a pool of pitch-black, evil smelling water, it produces nothing but misery and filth. ~ Saint Teresa Of Avila

But to get to know God's friends is a very good way of "having" Him; ~ Teresa Of Avila

Mental prayer is, as I see it, simply a friendly intercourse and frequent solitary conversation with Him who, as we know, loves us. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Any true ecstast is a sign you are going in the right direction ... don't let any prude tell you otherwise ~ Teresa Of Avila

I only wish I could write with both hands, so as not to forget one thing while I am saying another. ~ Teresa Of Avila

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found - not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater. ~ Saint Teresa Of Avila

It is quite important to withdraw from all unnecessary cares and business, as far as compatible with the duties of one's state of life, in order to enter the second mansion. ~ Teresa Of Avila

The "interior castle" of the human soul, as Teresa of Avila called it, has many rooms, and they are slowly occupied by God, allowing us time and room to grow. ~ Dallas Willard

One always goes on as one begins ... ~ Teresa Of Avila

O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state! It longs to be all one tongue with which to praise the Lord. It utters a thousand pious follies, in a continuous endeavor to please Him who thus possesses it. ~ Saint Teresa Of Avila

Life is to life in such a way that we are not afraid to die. ~ Teresa Of Avila

May I not come before You with empty hands, since we are rewarded according to our deeds. ~ Teresa Of Avila

A slight failing in one virtue is enough to put all the others to sleep. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Don't imagine that, if you had a great deal of time, you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea; it is no hindrance to prayer to spend your time well. ~ Teresa Of Avila

As God's beloved, I live in the bliss knowing that my soul is never separated from Him, for I learn to know Her in all that I see. God dissolved my mind-my separation. I cannot describe now my intimacy with Him. ~ Teresa Of Avila

The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit. ~ Saint Teresa Of Avila

If we do not use great care to mortify our will, there are many things which can deprives us of the holy freedom of spirit that we are seeking in order to fly more freely to our Creator, without always being bogged down with the clay of this earth. Moreover, there can never be solid virtue in a soul that is attached to its own will. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him. ~ Saint Teresa Of Avila

To want to become angels while we are still on earth ... is ridiculous. ~ Teresa Of Avila

It is love alone that gives worth to all things. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Will tell you, for I am not sure if you properly understand as yet how much we owe to the Lord for bringing us to a place where we are so free from business matters, occasions of sin and the society of worldly people. ~ Teresa Of Avila

Her heart is full of joy with love, for in the Lord her mind is stilled. She has renounced every selfish attachment and draws abiding joy and strength from the One within. She lives not for herself, but lives to serve the Lord of Love in all, and swims across the sea of life breasting its rough waves joyfully. ~ Teresa Of Avila

I have always had this failing - that I cannot explain myself, as I have said, except at the cost of many words. ~ Teresa Of Avila

We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth; and they give off a wonderful scent, which benefits all those who come near. ~ Teresa Of Avila