Holding

Today’s readings offer us contrasting images, both somewhat difficult to wrap our minds around. Ezekiel has a cosmic vision of God that boggles the mind. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples of his impending death and resurrection and they are “overwhelmed with grief.” These two images, and the realities that underlie them, are important parts of our spiritual lives, as we have both glimpses of glory and hints of suffering.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, whose optional memorial we celebrate today, gives us a great example of how a person can experience all of these things in our modern world.

It would take a lot to boggle her mind (she was a master of modern philosophy's cutting edge), yet the spiritual experience she had while reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila changed her life and led her to a path of cloistered contemplation.

As for suffering, few if any of us can imagine what the last week of her life was like, inside the cattle cars and the camps on the way to Auschwitz as she ministered with a smile.

St. Teresa had glimpsed the glory that awaited her and this helped her help others inside the most hellish places the 20th century produced.

Do we forget our glimpses of glory, those special moments in which we felt close to God? Are we even looking for this glory? Or are we distracted by the flash and foolishness of the culture around us?

In the midst of whatever suffering or difficulties we find ourselves in, do we remember to minister to others? Do we remember to smile?

Hold onto the glory of God.

Serve in gladness.