St. Teresa of Avila

Sharing the Wealth

“…With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all; but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.  Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.  Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.  I dare not ask for improved memory, but for growing humility and lessening cock-sureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken…”

                                  St. Teresa of Avila

         St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun who lived from 1515-1582.  She wrote numerous books, including an autobiography entitled, The Life of Teresa of Jesus.  She was canonized a mere forty years after her death by Pope Gregory XV, and named Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.  When I read this particular one of her many published prayers yesterday, I laughed out loud.  What a testament to aging.  She nailed it, didn’t she?

         It is a pity not to use all of one’s ‘vast store of wisdom’ born of experience.  I know my sons would love it if I just kept mine to myself.  And I think I may have sent my parents to an early grave with all my ‘cock-sureness.’  I can’t tell you how many conversations I have with friends nowadays about aches and pains and the latest medications for treating such maladies.  As they say, aging is not for sissies.

         What I love about St. Teresa’s prayer is its honesty.  She didn’t pray lofty, sanctimonious prayers; she just brought it on home to the every day realities she was coping with.  Living in a cloistered community is no easy thing.  She would have dealt with the same clash of personalities we encounter in our families and work places, with no escape possible.  All the rules and strict protocols would have driven most of us nuts.  Prayer was her way of grappling with the only thing she could change—herself.  And she did it with great humor.

         St. Teresa wrote her prayers down in a journal.  It is not a bad practice.  Spending some time everyday writing prayers in a journa--just having a conversation with one’s higher power about the ins and outs of life--helps one cope with them.  That’s a little piece of my vast store of wisdom I’m sharing with you guys. 

                                  Feel blessed,

                                  Jane