Let us always be mindful of Christ's love

Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

Today, October 15, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor, we are invited to first reflect on a passage from the book of Sirach (39: 4-10), entitled “The wisdom of a man who is learned in the Scriptures”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a work by Saint Teresa of Avila, virgin.

Saint Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She joined the Carmelite Order, made great progress, and the way of perfection and enjoyed mystical revelations. Teresa became the central figure of a movement of spiritual and monastic renewal, reforming the Carmelite Orders of both women and men. When she reformed the Order, she met with much resistance, but she succeeded with undaunted courage. She also wrote books filled with sublime doctrine, the fruit of her own spiritual life. Teresa's work and teachings had a big impact on the Church. Her reform of the Carmelite order led her to a more simple and prayerful life. Her writings still inspire people today to focus on prayer and trust in God's guidance. She was declared a saint in 1622 and later became a Doctor of the Church. She died at Avila in 1582.

The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira”. The title “Sirach” comes from the Greek form of the author’s name. The author, a sage who lived in Jerusalem, was thoroughly imbued with love for the wisdom tradition, and also for the law, priesthood, Temple, and divine worship. As a wise and experienced observer of life he addressed himself to his contemporaries with the motive of helping them to maintain religious faith and integrity through study of the books sacred to the Jewish tradition.

The book contains numerous well-crafted maxims, grouped by affinity, and dealing with a variety of subjects such as the individual, the family, and the community in their relations with one another and with God. It treats of friendship, education, poverty and wealth, laws, religious worship, and many other matters that reflect the religious and social customs of the time.