Dear Parishioners,

I recently read something worth reflecting on by St. Teresa of Avila who wrote the Interior Castle. She said, “It is a great source of misery and confusion to us that we do not know ourselves. Would it not be gross ignorance, my daughters, for some one, on being asked who he was, not to know who was his father or mother, or what country he was born in? If this then would be great stupidity how much greater without comparison is that which is found in us when we do not strive to know what we are, but fix all our thoughts on these bodies of ours! and thus only generally and superficially do we know that we have souls because we have heard so, and because our faith tells us; but seldom do we consider what great things are contained in this soul, or who lives within it, or how immense is its value: hence it is that we take such little care to preserve its beauty; all our attention is fixed on the roughness of the case or the walls of this castle, which is our bodies.”

Primarily, what she is talking about here is how easy it is for us to neglect our spiritual needs. It is much easier to see that we have physical needs because we get hungry or need sleep or exercise. But even then we can neglect our needs and pay the consequences in the long term. (I know there are plenty of people who do not regularly see their doctor or dentist as they should.) Spiritual needs are much harder to detect yet are even more vital. We are made to know God but living off the junk food of life is easier. We ignore this need with distraction and pleasure. But it is impossible to grow in true charity without receiving grace from God. Not to mention that if we are not worshiping God, we make something else our god and that god will ultimately disappoint.

Secondarily, I think this passage applies to how we think about ourselves. We are all very different in many ways: background, race, economic status, interests, disposition, etc. We can very easily focus on what separates us and define our identity on this or that characteristic. However, what we are more than anything else, are beloved children of God. That unites us more than anything we can say about ourselves and this fact should inspire us to have empathy and be charitable to one another. We should want all people to know the truth because they need to know this basic truth about the faith in order to find true peace.

God Bless!

Fr. Carter

P.S. I am very happy to announce that November 15th, Chris Ellis is going to be ordained a Deacon. I will reveal more information as we have it. In the meantime, please pray for Chris, and congratulate him when you see him. We are very happy that we will have another Deacon in the parish.