Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila

As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila (also known as Teresa of Jesus), I would like to touch on one of her writings taken from her book the 'Interior Castle'; "To think little but love much". She was referring this to those who are progressing towards the road to holiness.

It is very true that it is easier to love than to think a lot. In our faith there are so many things to think about and we can get so caught up and confuse about it. Things like, God, His mysterious plans, His ways, those stands that the church takes, and the dogmas and teachings. And Teresa's words think little but love much works here. For example, some people get so confuse about the role of Mary in the church but only if they start loving her they can really understand her and her role better. And by loving, we are actually pleasing God.

It is also just like our relationships, we don't go thinking and questioning about the other person, because if we do that, we get confuse and the relationship comes to ruin, but when we love much, we began to appreciate and understand the other better. It also applies to work, when we love what we are doing, we would peacefully be doing it.

So if we want to progress towards the road to holiness like Teresa, let us then take heed to her writings; 'The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; then, do whatever most arouses you to love. For love consists, not in the extent of our happiness, but in the firmness of our determination to try to please God in everything, and to endeavor, in all possible ways, not to offend Him'.