Dear Ones-
Today is the feast day of a great saint of our times, Blessed Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, or Edith Stein. This holy Jewish convert was a great intellectual in her day. I have a great aunt whose family (the Briefs) were academics during the Nazi Germany era and had to escape through Europe. Her mother founded an all-girls school where Edith Stein attended. I asked her about this one time, and all she could tell me was 'Well, she was absolutely brilliant."
It is a beautiful thing when we see someone of such gifted intellect who allows God to work through his or her heart. This was precisely what happened to Edith Stein when she read Teresa of Avila's autobiography (Life). As a former devout Jew turned atheist, she recognized the truth and embraced it without delay. She allowed this revelation to completely shape the course of her life and the movement of Divine Providence to mold and lead her. After entering the Carmelite convent in Cologne and using her gifts of teaching and writing, she would eventually be asked to give her very life alongside her sister Rosa at the concentration camp at Auschwitz.
What does Bl. Teresa teach us during these days of economic, environmental and political upheaval and uncertainty? Perhaps we find ourselves living with deep personal uncertainties and turmoil due to familial issues, health problems, unemployment, or any myriad of other burdens. I believe her message is loud and clear: 'Be not afraid. Be brave and courageous, and walk with the Lord wherever He leads you.' I think this is what she would tell us today, echoing the words that Jesus gently spoke so many times in the Gospel. What a perfect First Reading we had today to encourage this very same spirit of trust and faith in God. We read,
"Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel
said to him, 'Be brave and steadfast, for you must bring this people into the land
which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them;
you must put them in possession of their heritage.
It is the LORD who marches before you;
he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.
So do not fear or be dismayed." (Dt 7-8)
We can know that no matter the circumstance, the seeming impossibility of a given situation, the rugged road that we must climb, we are not alone. Ever. We let our lives unfold minute by minute, step by step and He is with us, along with Our Lovely Mother Mary, the angels, and saints. The Holy Souls in purgatory even pray for us!
Let us be brave, my dear brothers and sisters. We are loved and God has a plan. He is much bigger than all of us and our various challenges. In closing, we embrace the hopeful words of St. Paul that, "I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." (Rom 8:38) Clearly, Edith Stein knew this in her heart and now rests with Our Triune God joyfully in her eternal reward. May she intercede for us and all of our needs, especially to receive the gift of courage. Amen.
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C43GMoGtoSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25aP_3iihxQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=57s
