The Interior Castle: Teresa of Avila’s Major Text
This the first of a series of blogs on some major themes of The Interior Castle.

The Interior Castle was the most important and influential of all of Teresa’s writings. As a Doctor of the Church, we are assured that her message is profoundly rooted...

Matthew 15:21-28 Dear Friends, In days of Jesus and from their earliest history the family of Abraham always treasured their heritage as God’s Chosen People. It is very hard for us to grasp how deeply the Jews at the time of Jesus saw themselves as the Chosen People of God to the exclusion of all others. It penetrated and permeated their reality with a clear vision and an acutely guarded set of protocols that defined all social interaction with the Gentiles. The Jews cherished their God-given position of privilege and uniqueness among all peoples. The dialogue between Jesus and the Ca...

Matthew 14:22-33 The message of today’s Gospel is clear. Jesus continues joining us in the storms and threatening circumstances of our life. He may seem hidden and absent but he is there whether on the sea that was ready to take Peter or in the boat that evidenced a different threat. Today’s Gospel story of Jesus walking on the water is filled with symbolism and echoes of the divine in the Old Testament. The disciples found themselves alone in a storm-tossed boat. Suddenly, Jesus was present to assure them, teaching them, and us, that there is no conflict, no strugg...

Matthew 14:13-21 Dear Friends, Today’s meal is not primarily about the Eucharist. It does, however, reflect the beauty and wonder of the eternal gift of Jesus. We are given a symbol of the final, Messianic banquet, the great day of the total victory over evil and death. While the bread and fishes are distinct from the Body and Blood of the Last Supper, they are a good memento of the blessing of the Eucharist for our daily journey. Today’s story is about the loaves and fishes as a sign of God’s power, compassion and love. This story appears six different times in the...

Teresa of Avila on PrayerTeresa’s fundamental insight is wonderfully simple but revolutionary. She understood herself in relation to God. God is the Creator, the fount of compassion, mercy and love without limits or conditions. God is calling us into the life of the Mystery of Love and the...