This is Holy Family School of Faith.

Welcome to our rosary meditation. Today is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila.

Along with John of the Cross, she is one of the most important doctors or teachers on prayer.

Teresa was born in Spain in the year 1515. My Teresa, named after her, and I were blessed to be in Avala on this day in 2015 for the 500th birthday party of Teresa of Avala.

So let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for,

especially the continued healing and recovery for Gavin Hadovi

and his heart transplant and for Olivia Keneally.

Teresa of Avala was adamant.

God made every person to experience the higher levels of prayer in this life.

All were meant for infused prayer or contemplation,

which is an experience of God in some, the beginning of heaven on earth.

The most important truth, principle, act to reach union with God is daily meditation.

Teresa explains that mental prayer or meditation is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends.

It means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us, she writes.

Prayer is friendship with God. And what does friendship take? Time. Time talking, listening, and just being together.

And this corresponds to the three major expressions of prayer. Vocal prayer, speaking to God. Meditation,

listening to God. And contemplation, just being with the one who loves us. There is a simple method to meditation.

It's like having coffee with a friend.

And we begin by setting a specific time and place conducive to a leisurely intimate conversation.

Then we begin by talking, sharing, but we go on to listening and understanding and finally to just delight

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