The Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

Homily for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus

Today I simply offer you the powerful poem/prayer of St. Teresa of Avila: 

LET NOTHING DISTURB YOU (Nada Te Turbe)

by St. Teresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you,

let nothing frighten you,

everything passes,

but God stays.

Patience reaches it all;

he who has God

nothing lacks:

God alone suffices.

Lift your thinking,

raise up to heaven,

let nothing anguish you,

let nothing disturb you.

Follow Jesus Christ

with an open heart,

and, no matter what may come,

let nothing frighten you.

See the glory of the world?

It's vainglory;

it is not everlasting,

everything passes.

Yearn for the celestial

that lasts forever:

faithful and rich in promises,

God doesn't change.

Love it the way it deserves

immense kindness;

but there is not fine love

without patience.

Confidence and lively faith

let the soul maintain,

that he who believes and hopes

reaches it all. 

Although harassed by hell

one may see himself,

he who has God

will defeat its rage.

Come abandonment,

crosses, misfortune;

God being your treasure,

you lack nothing.

Go, then, worldly goods

go, vain happiness;

even if everything is lost

God alone suffices.