Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend, a homily by Fr. John MacQuarrie

On Oct. 15, 2020, Fr. John MacQuarrie gave this homily at the Feast Day Mass of St. Teresa of Avila. What is piercing your heart?  Is it the anger and confusion of our times in this world, in the church, in politics?  Or is it the flaming arrow of God’s love?  Fr. John MacQuarrie leads us in a reflection on this feast day of St. Teresa of Avila by recalling the great statue by Bernini of St. Teresa in ecstasy.  The description of this supernatural event involving St. Teresa can be found in “The Book of Her Life” Ch. 29 verse 13.  Regarding the times we are living in, she has great advice:  “Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader, who went ahead of us to be the first to suffer, can endure all things.  The Lord helps us, strengthens us, and never fails; He is a true friend.” [Life, Ch. 22:7].