God Alone Suffices: Teresa of Ávila on giving ourselves to God
What does it really mean to give ourselves fully and unreservedly to God? In the saints and mystics, we see this whole-hearted, whole-bodied desire and pursuit of God. Yet for us, as for them, it can be quite a challenge to truly “let go and let God” especially when we also need to provide for ourselves and others.
Teresa of Ávila famously wrote, “Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.” In this program, we will look the meaning of giving ourselves fully and unreservedly to God by exploring what Teresa meant in these words from what is known as Saint Teresa’s Bookmark Prayer (“Let nothing disturb you” / “Nada te turbe”). We’ll also explore her other writings and life experience which provide further context and insight into these words. In walking with Teresa, our hope is to better appreciate our own desire to give ourselves fully and unreservedly to God in the concrete reality of our own lives.
A Mystic’s Approach to the Rough Edges of Life
Mystics through the ages and around the globe have gifted us with inspiring and, at times, painfully honest reflections on living as mystics. They share about their experiences of God often using the imagery of darkness and light. Drawing on a variety of mystics from the sublime to the gritty, we will explore these two themes and their inherent interplay as well as that mysterious, transitional space in between where darkness and light are indistinguishable like dusk or dawn.
Throughout, we’ll be mindful of our own experience of life, especially when we experience its rough edges and are in need some mystical grit!
Teresa of Ávila, the Writer: A Workshop to Inspire Your Inner Artist and Activist
Teresa of Ávila is well known as a medieval Carmelite nun, saint, mystic, reformer and doctor of the church. Her life and wisdom have inspired many within and beyond the church. Yet what was she like as a writer? How did she use this form of art in order to express herself, to tell meaningful stories, and to effect change in the church and world? In this workshop, we’ll walk along side Teresa focusing on who she is as a writer and what we can learn from her art of writing and the activism embedded in this writing. We each have a calling to be artful – creative, generative, afire – and active in bringing about a just, good, and beautiful world.
The Art of Seeking God: Practical Wisdom from Karl Rahner
The spiritual life is an adventure. At times the path before us is clear and energizing. And other times it twists and turns with unexpected obstacles or detours. It can feel freeing and joyful, and it can also feel like we are lost on what was once a familiar path. Jesuit and theologian Karl Rahner offers us some practical ways to think about and navigate our journey as we seek God and allow ourselves to be found by the God who seeks us.
julie vieira 