Reflection 6
Shrines of Spain - St. Teresa of Avila
That's the end of this reflection.
On our fourth day of pilgrimage, we left Madrid and journeyed northwest to Avila with its perfectly preserved 11th century walls surrounding the old town. We visited the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa lived for many years. There, she and St. John of the Cross prayed and discerned the reform they initiated for the Carmelite order. We celebrated Mass at the Basílica Casa Natal de Santa Teresa, the church celebrating the birth of St Teresa. Our Associate Chaplain for the pilgrimage, Fr. Mark Scalese, SJ, presided and preached, and Betsey Beckman, who led us in movement prayer throughout the pilgrimage, offered her reflection on the life of St. Teresa. Learn more about Heart to Heart: htoh.us/subscribe Attend an Ignatian retreat: jesuitretreat.org
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me. ...