St. Teresa of Avila's Meditation for Today

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church Poem: "En la cruz està la vida"

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

Through the Cross both happiness
and life are given,
for there is no other road
that leads to heaven.
On the Cross there hangs "the Lord
of heaven and earth" (Acts 17,24)
and amid the stress of war
peace comes to birth.

All the evils of our life
far off are driven;
and there is no other road
that leads to heaven.

A "precious palm-tree" (Sg 7,9) is the Cross,
so says the Bride,
which her Beloved One has scaled,
his arms stretched wide;
and its fruit a savor sweet
to God has given,
for there is no other road
that leads to heaven.

The Cross is "like an olive-tree,
fair" (Si 24,14) to the sight,
whereof the holy oil provides
healing and light.

Wherefore, my soul, embrace the Cross,
rejoice, be shriven,
for there is no other road
that leads to heaven.

'Tis a tree all wondrous green,
tree of desire (Sg 2,3);
in its shade the Bride sits down with love afire,
rejoicing in her Lover dear,
the King of Heaven,
for there is no other road
that leads to heaven.

When a soul unto its God
submits indeed,and from every wordly thing
is wholly freed,
to it as "Tree of Life" (Gn 2,9)
the Cross is given,
and a path delectable
that leads to heaven.

Since the Lord embraced the Cross
and for us died,
honor has surrounded it:
'tis glorified.

Life and happiness it brings
when we have striven:'
tis the surest road to take
that leads to heaven.

Via The Daily Gospel.
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