“If there is no occasion to suffer, then hear the words 'enjoy me' and let that be spiritually fruitful. Let that joy speak to our connection with Christ as much as our suffering does.”
Enjoy Me
October 15, 2020
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), was a Spanish mystic, a Carmelite nun, a theologian and eventually (for centuries after her death) named a doctor of the church. She’s known for writing intensely in seven books, roughly 450 letters and many works of poetry about some of the visions and experiences left behind. I have chosen to accompany today’s Touchstone with a passage from her poems instead of our regular scripture reading.
She describes great ecstasy in her “dialogues with Jesus” in prayer. Her writings can evoke great sorrow, great introspection and great joy. While always seeing suffering as a necessary part of life, she never failed to move people towards those experiences of God that were experiences of deep joy.
And right on cue we have great news this week! We have received a TCO from the city, which means we can finally use our new Parish Hall. Of course, the present situation with Covid will have its own sobering effect on our enjoyment of this new space. Still, lets take the all wins we can get!
Just to let people know (and avoid a flurry of emails): I’m not suffering any illness. You may think differently when viewing this week’s video. I was at my annual dermatologist appointment and she did some “freezing” of pre-cancer AKs (all part of the wonderful drama that is Irish skin), so my face is sporting some pretty vivid spots here and there. I’m assured they’ll be mostly gone by the weekend (otherwise I will bring a bell to mass and cry out “Unclean” as I enter into the room).
In line with this theme of finding joy in our spirituality, I’ve chosen to revisit a song that we actually have already heard once in a previous Touchstone, but it really is just “too on point” to pass up for this weeks offering.
God bless and be well,
Fr. Pat
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In this same vein, as an accompanying song I went scavenging through my own archives to find a favorite piece that I used to sing fairly often. Not really a church composition, per se, it is a song by Stephen Schwartz about being open and prepared enough to recognize when something amazing comes along and being ready take a chance, make the change necessary and embrace the unimagined possibilities of a greater, joy-filled life.
I hope you are all continuing to be well and to actively and intentionally hunt the good moments and savor them when you can.
God Bless,
Fr. Pat
Thursday of the Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
“Laughter Came"
Just these two words He spoke changed my life,
“Enjoy Me.”
What a burden I thought I was to carry—a crucifix, as did He.
Love once said to me, “I know a song,would you like to hear it?”
And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky.
After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang,
“Enjoy Me.”
~Teresa of Avila
"I Sing Because I'm Happy" - adapted by Rollo Dilworth, performed live by the MPB Music Ministry
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