The Interior Journey Toward God: Reflections from Saint Teresa of Ávila

John Paul Thomas

My Catholic Life!

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The Interior Journey Toward God: Reflections from Saint Teresa of Ávila, attempts to take what many believe is Saint Teresa of Ávila's greatest work, The Interior Castle, and break it down into successive lessons, reflections, and prayers. Each lesson is drawn from St. Teresa’s writings and seeks not only to explain each particular teaching concisely but also to help you, the reader, to apply the content to your own life.

This book can be used as a daily meditation book by which you can slowly ponder the teachings of Saint Teresa as she takes us through the various dwelling places of the soul. This book can also be used as a companion to the reading of Saint Teresa's original spiritual masterpiece: Interior Castle.

"I began to think of the soul as if it were a castle made of a single diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many dwelling places" (Interior Castle, I.I #2).

Saint Teresa of Jesus, you were a daughter of the Church, a humble servant of God, a reformer, a mystic, and a great beacon of light for all. Please pray for me as I prayerfully reflect upon the lessons you have taught. Through your intercession, may I discover the presence of God Who dwells within me, journeying ever deeper to the center of my soul where the Great King resides. Saint Teresa of Jesus, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.

For more information, you can view this book online for free from our website at: www.mycatholic.life.

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“John Paul Thomas” is the pen name this priest has chosen in honor of the Apostles Saints John and Thomas and the great evangelist Saint Paul. This name also evokes the memory of the great Pope Saint John Paul II.

John is the beloved Apostle who sought out a deeply personal and intimate relationship with his Savior. Hopefully, the writings in this book point us all to a deeply personal and intimate relationship with our God. May John be a model of this intimacy and love.

Thomas is also a beloved Apostle and close friend of Jesus but is well known for his lack of faith in Jesus’ Resurrection. Though he ultimately entered into a profound faith, crying out “my Lord and my God,” he is given to us as a model of our own weakness of faith. Thomas should inspire us to always return to faith when we realize we have doubted.

As a Pharisee, Paul severely persecuted the early Christian Church. However, after going through a powerful conversion, he went on to become the great evangelist to the gentiles, founding many new communities of believers and writing many letters contained in Sacred Scripture. His letters are deeply personal and reveal a shepherd’s heart. Paul is a model for all as we seek to embrace our calling to spread the Gospel.