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On October 15, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus (Ávila), the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. This 16th-century Spanish mystic, writer, Carmelite sister, and reformer was a woman of both rich prayer and bold action.
This writing of hers is one of my favorites. It reminds me of our call to be the Body of Christ for the world.
Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
As catechists, religion teachers, and parents, we embody Jesus Christ as we share our faith with the children in our care. May the fire of our faith help brighten the flame of their own faith, so that they will also embrace the awesome responsibility and opportunity to be the Body of Christ for the world.
Image credit: Saint Theresa, church window, Convento de Sta Teresa, Ávila de los Caballeros, Spain, photo by Håkan Svensson (Xauxa) [CC BY 2.5] via Wikimedia Commons
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