Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
As I read today’s gospel, it seems easy to question how the people of Jesus day could be so blind to the signs all around them. And yet, as I think about this situation, I wonder how our generation will be viewed by future people. I wonder if our lack of regard for others, creation, and even God will be signs of our times that others find hard to understand.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is reprimanding the people of His generation because they are oblivious to the fact that He has come to bring the Good News to them. Previous generations were able to see the signs, and Jesus is the greatest sign that has ever been given. God is fully revealed in the person of Jesus.
Although the Jews during Jesus’ time were unable to see clearly, are there signs that we are missing all around us?
Do we disregard creation all around us? Although we need to use and enjoy the resources of this world, do we make sure that all people have access to these resources? Are we using these gifts of creation in a way that allows future generations to have what they will need? Will our world be inhabitable because of how we care for creation today?
Will future generations see the sign of our disregard for others? Will they note that we do not care for the oppressed, the poor, the foreigner, the elderly, the unborn and those who are different?
Most of all, will others in future times view our disregard for God and His presence in our lives? The number of people believing in God has dropped from 97% in 1965 to 86% in 2016- (“IS God Dead? At 50”- Time Magazine) Without God as our foundation, there is nothing that binds all things together. We lose our sense of unity and community, and we live in isolation and fear. You need to only look at our news to see the many ways that fear has consumed our society and our world. Without a deep sense of God and His love for us, it is difficult if not impossible to love others and the world around us.
St. Paul in the first reading gives us hope, since he reminds us that God allows us the freedom to choose to seek Him and love Him through Christ. When we recognize God and His love for us, we are drawn into communion with all of creation. Our love for God and His love for us compel us to bring all things together for His Kingdom.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila. St. Teresa recognized the importance of our relationship with God, and she knew that the best way to grow in faith was through prayer. “For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” St. Teresa believed that “It is love alone that gives worth to all things,” so it is essential to be connected to love (God). Teresa also knew that we could not remain unattached to this world. We are called to go forth and be Christ for others- “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
We are called to be signs for our world- to care for creation, to be kind and merciful to others, and to humbly and gratefully have faith in our loving God. We are sent forth to share God’s love and mercy, so others can join us on this journey. In prayer today, may we seek God and His counsel, and then recognizing the signs of our times, may we make our lives instruments of His grace for all of creation.
Loving Father, Your Son Jesus was the perfect sign of Your great love for us. Through Your Spirit, may we come to know You and Your love, and may we go forth to be Christ to others and the world around us. May we be the sign of your presence on earth, and in our living may we give you the glory and praise. We ask this through Christ our LORD. Amen
- Marylynn Herchline