The Lord remembers his covenant for ever. — Psalm 105:8

Mass readings: Romans 4:13,16-18 / Luke 12:8-12 

Attention, Headache Sufferers 

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) is the patron saint of headache sufferers. Besides the physical kind, she had “people headaches.” One description calls her father “saintly but rigid” — a world-class euphemism for “religious tyrant.” Teresa ran away to a Carmelite convent, figuring that the ambiance there would be more peaceful than her home. It was, but not for good reasons. Carmelite nuns of the time had become worldly and accustomed to ease. Teresa began a needed reform movement. It was viciously slandered and vehemently opposed by her own superiors and by Church authorities, including the papal nuncio, who excommunicated anyone who welcomed her. 

Yet her “bookmark prayer” begins, “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you.” It would be good to enlist her aid when we need peace amid the storm. 

Prayer: St. Teresa, pray for us when storms buffet our lives.