On Wednesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (4:2---5:7), entitled " David is king over Israel; he capture Jerusalem". Our treasure, which follows, is from the book Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila, virgin.
Saint Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She joined the Carmelite Order, made great progress, and the way of perfection and enjoyed mystical revelations. Teresa became the central figure of a movement of spiritual and monastic renewal, reforming the Carmelite Orders of both women and men. When she reformed the Order, she met with much resistance, but she succeeded with undaunted courage. She also wrote books filled with sublime doctrine, the fruit of her own spiritual life. Teresa's work and teachings had a big impact on the Church. Her reform of the Carmelite order led her to a more simple and prayerful life. Her writings still inspire people today to focus on prayer and trust in God's guidance. She was declared a saint in 1622 and later became a Doctor of the Church. She died at Avila in 1582.
"The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila is a guide for spiritual development, particularly for those seeking union with God through prayer. It emphasizes the importance of fraternal love, detachment from material things, and true humility as essential for a prayerful life. The book, written for Carmelite nuns, offers practical advice on prayer, contemplation, and cultivating a closer relationship with God.
The books of Samuel describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel's transition to kingship.
Each section of these books focuses on a major figure in the development of the monarchy: Samuel, the reluctant king maker; Saul, the king whom the Lord rejects; David, the king after the Lord's own heart. A common theme unites these narratives: Israel's God acts justly, prospering those who remain faithful and destroying those who reject his ways. Along with the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, the Books of Samuel become an object lesson for biblical Israel as it tries to re-establish its religious identity after the destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of its homeland (587/586 B.C.).
