Daily reflection _ walk through the doorway

WALK THROUGH THE DOORWAY
"Be kind to all and severe to thyself." (St. Teresa of Avila)
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
From today's first reading from Paul's letter to the Romans, we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works. Our saint for today was certainly known for her great faith.
Today the Church honors Saint Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor. In 1515 she was born in Spain and her call in life was to enter the Carmelite Order. St. Teresa of Avila walked through the door to enter the convent in 1536. She used the same doorway when she left the convent in 1562 to begin the reform of the Carmelite Order. Before making any decision, Theresa would pray and discern. She trusted in the Holy Spirit and took giant steps into her future and the future of the Church.
St. Teresa of Avila, who acted in faith, lived by these words which she gave in advice to others. "Be kind to all and severe to thyself." Her advice is a good guide for all of us in our faith. We read in the Gospel of Luke the following. "Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." St. Teresa wrote books respected for profound spirituality and insights that had been tested in her own experience. She endured many tribulations but persevered with the help of the Spirit of God. I bet she would have been a great retreat master.
Points to Pray and Ponder: What doorway is the Holy Spirit asking you to walk through today in your life? How can you rely on the Spirit of God to help