The Feast of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross | Tuesday 9 August 2022

Today is Tuesday the 9th August, the feast of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum: My eyes are on the Lord God. I remember for a moment that God is present; that God holds me in the palm of his hand.


Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum
Like the deer that yearns for running streams
So my soul is yearning for my God
My tears have become my bread day and night
As I hear it said: ‘Where is your God?’
Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum
By day the Lord will send His loving Spirit
By night I will sing praises to the God of my life
Send our Your light and Your truth as my guide
To lead me to Your holy ground
Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum
Then shall I go to the God of my joy
Singing praise, praise on the lyre and the harp
Why so downcast my soul?
Put your hope and trust in my Saviour, my God
Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum



Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 25:1-13

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

This short but vivid scene is a wake-up call. The bridegroom arrives but not everyone is ready. Today we celebrate St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a German Jewish philosopher who became a Carmelite nun and died for Christ in Auschwitz. Like her, we don’t know what God’s call will mean for our life. But when her hour came, she was ready. What do you feel ready for?


Jesus’ parable of the lamps is uncompromising. He tells us that it matters that we prepare for his coming at any time. What do you understand by this? It matters for us to be aware of his presence in our life and in the world around us. What helps you to keep aware of God-with-you? What makes it difficult to sustain that awareness?


Listening again to the reading, become aware of how God is present to you here and now, of your thoughts. feelings and desires at this time.

The word martyr means witness. We may not all be called to die as martyrs, but each one of us is called to live as a witness to God present within in our own context. What prayers and desires, hopes or anxieties do you find yourself wanting to express to Jesus right now, as you reflect on his parable?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.