Podcast Episode Details

St. Teresa of Avila, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Teresa of Avila, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

• Born: March 28, 1515, Gotarrendura, Spain
• Died: October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain
• Nationality: Spanish

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor continue their look into the life, spirituality, and teachings of St. Teresa of Avila; her profound insights on prayer and the Christian journey towards holiness, and her view of prayer as an “exercise of love,” wherein true prayer entails a deep, loving relationship with God. St. Teresa, often misunderstood as simply mystical, rooted her spirituality in the Church and its sacraments. She sought not only personal sanctity but also communal guidance, sharing her wisdom with family, laypeople, and her Carmelite sisters.

St. Teresa’s progression from the “four waters” in her early work, The Life, to the “interior castle” in her later years reflects an evolving understanding of the spiritual life. This journey, as she outlines, requires humility, persistence, and a deep commitment to the sacraments. Teresa’s experiences, particularly her “interior castle” model, demonstrate that as one grows in prayer, there’s a structured journey with different stages of spiritual development, each needing discipline and grace.

For more on St. Teresa of Avila and her teachings, visit her Discerning Hearts page

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Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. How can you approach prayer as an exercise of love and deepen your relationship with God in your daily life?
2. Reflect on the Trinitarian nature of God’s love; how does this inspire you to share love with others?
3. In what ways do the sacraments of the Church support your spiritual journey and deepen your prayer life?
4. How can you cultivate humility as you strive to grow closer to God, avoiding pride in your prayer life?
5. What steps can you take to begin or deepen your practice of prayer using St. Teresa’s guidance?
6. As you reflect on Teresa’s stages of spiritual growth, where do you feel you are in your journey, and how can you continue to grow?
7. How can you surrender your desires to align more closely with God’s will for you?
8. What insights from Teresa’s “Interior Castle” can help you recognize and appreciate the stages of your own spiritual life?
9. How do you protect yourself from spiritual pride, especially when experiencing deeper moments in prayer?
10. How can you use the strength you gain from prayer to serve others, as Teresa encourages?

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From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago