How Time Flies . . . May 7, 2010

Dear One -

 I hope this finds you and yours healthy and happy.

 As I get ready to leave Moscow and fly to Vladivostok, there are a few more things I want to share with you.  On Wednesday morning I was blessed to attend one of the Students' Worship Services again.  Several of the people who work in the Seminary office or in the Bishop's office were there, too.  All the students took part in the service, and Artur preached on the ways that in Christ we are able to call God the Creator our Father in Heaven.  In order to illustrate the idea that God is Father to the fatherless, he began by telling a story about his work with orphans in his home town of Samara in central Russia.  He also did a good job pointing out that we often have spiritual parents who are important in our faith journeys.  Sometimes they are the people who lead us to a saving knowledge of God in Christ.  Sometimes they are those who listen to us, pray for us and guide us in the Way.

Sergei Nikolaev, who is also the E. Stanley Jones professor of Evangelism here, was also at the service.  He occupies a professorial chair named for Bishop Ruediger Minor and his wife, Gerlinde.  Back in 1992, Bishop Minor was the first United Methodist Bishop appointed to shepherd the clergy, laity and work of the UMC in the Eurasian Area.  When it was time for Communion, Sergei got up to be the celebrant, and I found the peace I usually receive as I begin to hear the words of the Communion liturgy in English.

The first time I heard the words of the Communion service in Russian, I was the one speaking them It was in 1998 at the time that I was blessed to be given the opportunity to start the outreach to Russian-speaking immigrants in the Baltimore-Washington region.  After meeting several immigrants, we started holding worship services in Russian in the Chapel at Rockville UMC.  In case you don't know the Washington, D.C. area, Rockville is one of the Maryland suburbs straight north of the District.  From there north through the town of Gaithersburg there are many former Soviet people, some of whom have lived in the locale since the mid-70s when because of a condition of Détente between the US and the Soviet Union, Jewish people who could prove they had been persecuted were allowed to emigrate.  Many of them went to live in Israel, and many more came to the U.S.

Anyway, in 1998, my Russian language ability was pretty rusty, so I was blessed to practice my Communion liturgy pronunciation with a elderly Russian woman named Sophiya, whose daughter had called and asked me if we could help her mother come to our services.  It was a joy to bring her to church with us, and spending with her in her apartment was lovely, too.  Along with helping me with my Russian language, she led me to understand a bit more about what keeping the faith was like during the Soviet era.  She described the difficulties this way.  Not only was it often not possible to worship in a church, but there were few Bibles available and they had to be kept hidden, often even from family members.  She told me that each believer's faith was very private, and most of the time it couldn't be shared with other people.  I saw how in Sophiya's life that these conditions had led to a very deep intimate life in Christ.  We were all happy that she came to worship with us because the peace of the Lord could be seen in her eyes and light was all around her.

As Sergei continued to recite the Communion liturgy the peace of God turned into a deep sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit with us.  We had sung praise songs, listened to testimonies of God's faithfulness, heard prayer requests, prayed and worshiped with one another.  Now we were joining with the Host of Witnesses to take part in the essential activity of the Body of Christ together. My heart soared and I felt so blessed to have been able to be here, to have been able to share in the life of the students for a while, and to be able to have studied with Sergei.  God is so good and so wonderful!

If you feel led, please pray for the students, the people of the Seminary, the Bishop, District Superintendents, pastors and parishioners of the Eurasian area - and for everyone in the former Soviet Union, in order that they may come to know the fullness of God's love in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and yours.

Blessings in His Love - Kathy

In Remembrance of Him

 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.  And Jesus said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you.  For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."  And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Luke 22:14-20

Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012

kwharris777@gmail.com

The More Things Change . . . May 6, 2010

The More Things Change . . . May 6, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always!

Dear One –

Today I want to reflect a little on the changes I have seen here in Russia from the first time I came here on December 27, 1993 until now. But before I do that, remembering that a picture is worth a thousand words, I will save you thousands of words by just directing you to some photos from some walks around the neighborhood here in the southwest part of Moscow not that far from the Kremlin and Red Square – a long walk along the river, but do-able! (You can also take a river boat. For 800 rubles you can get on and off the river boats that are just for touring. There are other dinner cruise boats and even one with big red paddle wheels on each side of the boat two thirds of the way towards the stern.)

Many of the photos were taken by Artur, one of the students you have heard about and seen in photos earlier if you have had a chance to look at them. When we went to Sergeev Posad I gave him my camera to use and we jokingly called him our “paprazzio”. Here is the designation for the web site with the photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=23070&id=100000104723008&l=6da1f8167e
I hope you enjoy them!

Back to what has changed. In the mid-winter of 1994, there were only two MacDonalds restaurants in Moscow . . . and one Pizza Hut. Now I don’t know how many MacDonalds there are, but suffice it to say that we even found one in Sergeev Posad which is not a big place. At the same time I haven’t noticed any Pizza Hut restaurants – haven’t been back to the part of Moscow where I saw the one in 1994, so maybe it is still there. Nevertheless, there are TGI Fridays, and Sbarros . . . and a cafeteria style restaurant with a black and white cow theme called “Moo-Moo”. (I can’t explain why that would seem like a good idea, I just call ‘em like I see ‘em . . . it’s just there, near the Frunzhskaya Metro station – and the food is very good.)

Riding on a bus on the way out of Sheremetyevo Airport in 1993, there were only a few billboards and they all seemed to be advertising banks. Now as you can see from the photos of the walk down Komsomolskiy Prospect, there are many billboards advertising a variety of products and services as well as some that express joy in the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the victory in WW II, or in the celebration of the Moscow (which is over 800 years old. There are also billboards that have what I think of as “public service announcements.”

If you received my e-mail journal from the last time I was in Moscow in 2007, you might remember when I told you about a billboard that had a little cartoon car on it, crushed like an accordion. The text on the billboard read, “Cars are not toys.” In the three years since then I think there are so many more cars and so many more experienced drivers than even three years ago that I didn’t see any evidence of that kind of billboard this year. Nevertheless, this morning I saw a new one along Komsomolskiy prospect that had a photo of an electric commuter train on it.

I was glad that Artur was with me, because the words on the billboard didn’t make sense to me. They read, “Good guys pay for the train.” Again, it didn’t make sense until Artur reminded me of something I noticed and asked about when we took the train back from Sergeev Posad. We happened to be in the last car with very few other people in it since it was rush hour and we were going back into the city instead of leaving it. However, sometime into the journey the car started filling up with a bunch more folks. Then a woman conductor came into the car and started checking tickets (although the train was packed on the way out to Sergeev Posad and I don’t remember seeing a conductor. . . oh, wait . . . that’s because in order to get onto the platform to take a train, we had to put our tickets into a receptacle in the side of a turn style.

O.K. Anyway, a little while after the conductor started asking to see people’s tickets, many of the people who had come into the car quickly made their way to the exit door. At the next stop they all got off and many of them ran toward the front of the train. One of the students explained that they were riding the train without tickets. So after Artur reminded me of that, he said that the phenomenon of people riding without tickets was being addressed by the public service billboard. I saw that the conductor could not possibly have done anything about the people who moved from car to car as she moved through the train, got off when they got to the last car and quickly got on the train again. As a matter of fact, once she got to the end car where we were, she sat down and stayed in our car until the train reached the Yaroslavl station in Moscow.

That reminded me of something a friend of mine who was also studying Russian when we were in college said to me after coming back from a school year at Moscow University on an exchange program. She noted that instead of the general rules of society being enforced by uniformed officials, if someone was acting in an unacceptable way, anyone might correct them. The example she gave was that if someone was waiting at a bus stop and threw litter on the ground, an older woman who was also waiting for the bus would scold the litter bug. It seems like the “public service” billboards are kind of an extension of that, maybe.

So what else has changed? I had a strange experience when I was walking back from the medical clinic I visited because of some problems I was having (feel fine now – it was a very modern clinic called “Bud’ Zdorov!” which is what people say to you when you sneeze instead of “God bless you.” It means “Be healthy!” Since there are so many luxury cars everywhere in this part of town, as well as the fact that most cars seem to be new models—the older ones, and especially those that are not either from Japan, Germany, Korea, or the US stand out—I found myself kind of shocked to her myself thinking as I walked through a lovely neighborhood of mostly new apartment buildings, “This looks like Chicago.”

Now the reason that surprised me is that I know very well I am in Moscow, and if you walk down a street where there are Soviet era buildings, you really can’t mistake it for Chicago. But more than just the buildings, I think it had something to do with the kinds of cars. Moscow has become a city that looks like many cities in the US and in Europe. The traces of the earlier eras are visible when you look for them, certainly. But even three years ago I don’t remember seeing big signs on the top of buildings in English that touted brand names like SAMSUNG and TOSHIBO. I don’t remember seeing advertisements for European beer at the bus stops three years ago either.

And guess what! Rod Stewart is coming to give a concert here in June! Big signs near the bus stops at ground level proclaim this, and I’m kind of sorry I will miss him.

As a matter of fact, I feel sad in a way that I will be leaving Moscow on Saturday night to fly to Vladivostok. I will miss my old and new friends, and I really love this city and seeing the people walking, riding bikes, roller blading while pushing strollers, taking buses, metro trains, electric commuter trains, buses, trams and marshutki (the little vans that travel the bus routes), and river boats. I will miss seeing the golden dome of Kristos Spacitel’ Khram (Christ the Savior Cathedral) in the distance when I head up Komsomolskiy Prospect. And I will miss being able to walk over to Tolstoy’s Moscow home and St. Nicholas Khamnovicheskoy Church.

At the same, I am very excited to be able to go to Vladivostok, happy to be able to visit my friend there and hopefully to meet with some of the pastors and parishioners of the UMC in the Russian Far East. When we lived in Alaska, I used to joke that it was the Russian Far, Far East . . . although since it is in the Western Hemisphere, maybe you could also think of it as the former Russian Far, Far West. O.K. East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet. But actually in Russia, they do. And one of the most fascinating things about Russian culture is that it is influenced by both the East and the West, and has been for centuries.

Watch out, any minute I will start giving you a lecture from my days teaching Western Humanities! Better let you go.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and all those you love.

Please stay in touch!

Blessings and Love -- Kathy

Great is Thy Faithfulness
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:22-26


Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012
kwharris777@gmail.com

Latest Moscow Travel Journal Updates -- April 25th and May 2nd, 2010

Down to the River April 25, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always

Dear One—

I hope this finds you and yours well and happy! Please write and let me know how things are going if you get a chance.
It’s my Dad’s eighty-third birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dad!!
Thursday night I looked up through the window in the ceiling where the roof slants at the south edge of the building and for the first time since I have been here the sky was completely clear. Instead of just being able to see one or two clouds between wispy clouds slightly illuminated by the reflection of the city lights I saw a whole constellation. The Russians and many other cultures call that group of stars “The Little Bear Cub”, but it is better known to us as “The Little Dipper.” I was happy to be able to get oriented to the night sky here. Since it’s spring the rains have been coming and going, and the evidence of the power of the effects of warmth of warmth of the sun and the life-giving rain is all around us. The grass is green, and the trees have gone beyond producing whatever type of pre-leaf growth they bring forth. The spring green of new leaves is everywhere. The top branches of cluster of birch trees on the edge of the yard of the Methodist Building are adorned with what looks like little jewels. There are more varied bird songs I can hear from inside the building. And I can see many varieties of birds now when I look out one of the windows on the first or second floor of the building or go for a walk.

Friday night as I looked up through the window in the ceiling where the roof slants at the south edge of the building, I saw big fluffy clouds briskly flying from north to south. Later in the night it rained off and on. Sure enough, yesterday morning the weather front that made the clouds from the north pass over us so quickly had led to cooler temperatures. I needed to go to the store to pick up a few things, so for the first time since I’ve been here, I donned my heavier jacket and went down the stairs to head outside. For some exercise I decided to take a walk down to the river before I went to the store. If you had been with me, this is what we would have seen together:

As we give my key to the lady who watches the door and keeps all the keys to every door in the building, we then go to the front door, and push a button to unlock the door. It’s good that we have on warmer coats. The waterproof jacket with the quilted lining I used for most of the winter is northern Georgia is perfect for the colder weather brought in by the front. We walk out the door and are on a portico. As we turn right toward the main gate of the fence around the building, we walk down four steps and cross the asphalt walkway. It’s about twenty yards from the portico to the gate. We step through the gate and notice that the lawns and the pathways through the park in the middle of the courtyard are a bit wet. There are two driveways on the outside edges of the inner courtyard, and we begin walking in between muddy tire tracks.

All along the driveways cars are parked. There is also a big tarp covering a huge motorcycle contraption. The other day when one of the students named Artur and I went for a walk, he pointed to it and said, “Monster”. We laughed.
We’ve now walked about forty yards and, coming to the intersection of the two driveways, we turn right and stroll underneath an arch that connects the two building on the southwest corner of the courtyard about nine stories above us. Now we cross Khamnovichesky Val and head toward a roofed-over staircase that goes down to a pedestrian walkway under the busy, four-laned Komsomolsky Prospect. Advertising banners strung from one side of the wide boulevard to another look very decorative. One says that you can buy a new apartment in a building called “Gulf Stream” Another advertises cars, and another tells you that you can find a loan for whatever you need one at a certain bank.

On both sides of Komsomolsky Prospect there are one-way side streets. The only other cities where I have driven on streets configured like that are Washington, D.C. and New York City. I always found it difficult to get from the side streets back into the real traffic, but that’s a hazard of driving in a bustling city.
Cars are parked on the edges of the sidewalks along these side streets and there is a little thin barrier island between the side streets and the Prospect that opens up every few blocks to accommodate a bus stop shelter of chrome and glass. We cross the smaller one-way street and head down the stairs to go under the Prospect in the pedestrian tunnel. The stairs are made up of steps that are not very high, but wide so that they are easy to walk down. On the left side there are two parallel steel plans with edges lain on the staircase so that wheel chairs can go up or down them. Once we have come down all the stairs we turn left and traverse the pedestrian walkway.

Often in pedestrian walkways under the street or in the wide underground hallways in the Moscow Metro stations you can find little kiosks along on wall. They are usually about maybe 8 feet by five feet large. The longer side is along the walkway and has a window in the door. Although it seems like two people could probably fit inside in the midst of the merchandise displayed in the windows that begin about two and a half feet above the floor, most of the time you can only see one person inside each kiosk. At the kiosks you can find all sorts of things including lingerie; Russian “fast food” (little meat and potato pies and other pastries); eye glasses; magazines and newspapers; and toys like you would find in a drug store in the U.S., or that you might have found in an old 5 and dime store way back when there were such stores.

The pedestrian walkway near the corner of Khamnovichesly Val and Komsomolsky Prospect doesn’t have any little kiosks, though. It’s not busy enough, probably. We walk for maybe fifty yards under the street and turn left to ascend the twin roofed staircase to the one when have so recently descended. On the right side of it there are also two parallel steel planks with edges for wheel chairs. Inside the pedestrian tunnel I was surprised to see something I have noticed in many cities in the U.S. and in other countries, but that probably didn’t exist in the Soviet era – some graffiti on the walls.

As we continue walking on the sidewalk in the same direction the stairs took us, we notice that the on first floor of most the apartments and office buildings there are banks and stores. People are no longer just wearing jackets or light coats as they were in the past two weeks since I arrived. Most of them have winter coats and hats. We notice a little boy with an older woman (his grandmother, perhaps). She is trying to get him to put on a wool cap. They are on the corner where a driveway comes out between two buildings as a woman driving a car pulls up, rolls down her window as she stops and says something to the little boy and the older woman. They wave as she turns to drive down the side street.

We keep walking for about two more blocks to Frunzhenskaya Ulitsa, (Frunzhe Street). From that corner it is about three blocks to the busy boulevard that runs along the embankment of the Moscow River. The street has a wide sidewalk running down the middle of a tree-lined park punctuated with raised flower beds in the shape of the petals of a daisy. Beautiful multi-colored pansies had been planted sometime recently. As we reach the end of the road near the river, we see seven or eight park workers in their green uniforms putting rakes and shovels into a truck, getting ready to get move on to their next assignment.

As we get close enough to see the hills on the island across the river from us, we notice the red jacket of a bicyclist moving swiftly along a path part way up the hill. Perhaps if the trees were fully leafed out we couldn’t see him or know that the path is there, but today he is visible. We have to wait for the traffic light to change before we can cross the busy thoroughfare along the embankment. And we have to step lively once we see that the cars have stopped and the little green light shaped like a person walking is shown. There is a big river boat called “Gisele” docked right in front of us. A banner under the big windows of the top deck of the boat advertises the price of its dinner cruise.

The river is wide and quickly flowing to our left, which surprises me because I thought it would flow the other way. I have to remember to look up on a map where it comes from and where it ends up. We are no longer protected by large buildings so the strong cold wind now coming from the northeast helps push us as we continue our walk along the embankment for a couple of blocks. If we had time to go a few more blocks we could cross the river on a pedestrian bridge and enjoy some time together in Gorky Park. But remember that I still have to go to the store.
I got up early and wrote a paper for one of my independent study courses for almost four hours. So I appreciate being able to take a nice walk with you down to the river!

Maybe I’ll write about the walk back home and the trip to the store later. Thanks so much for joining me.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings and Love – Kathy

Walking Humbly

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8



Worship, Field Trips and the Theater May 2, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always!

Dear One –

How are you? I hope all is well with you and yours. What’s new?

My kids sent me some new photos of my two youngest grandchildren. You can see the latest photo of my son’s son, Colin at this website:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15945&id=100000104723008&l=df33429954

And on my Facebook page, you can see the latest photos of my daughter’s son, Jude:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=22426&id=100000104723008&saved#!/profile.php?id=100000104723008&ref=profile


I feel like I am so often on “send” that maybe you don’t feel like I am open to “receive” Please know that I am always very happy to hear from you, and write when you feel like it. Also, if you have any prayer requests, please let me know. It is always a privilege to pray!
Since I last wrote to you, the time has flown by so fast, I can hardly believe it. I only have a week more in Moscow before I head to Vladivostok, God willing. Sometime last week, I realized that I could share the photos that have been taken here with you by posting them on my Facebook page and telling you about the link. So here are the photos from the trip to the Tretyakov Art Museum:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=22264&id=100000104723008&l=164a21cb0e

It’s Sunday again, and I am looking forward to worshiping with the congregation called “Raduga” (“Rainbow”) this afternoon. The Raduga Church holds its services in the Seminary Building. A Korean/Russian congregation holds another church service on Sunday mornings in the building. In addition, on Wednesdays at 11 AM, the Seminary students have a worship service, and they also have the Bible study and communion service on Thursday afternoons. In all the services both hymns and contemporary praise songs are sung. One of my favorite praise songs is also a favorite of Artur and several other students. You may know the lyrics by Heather Headley:

“Here I am to worship,
here I am to bow down,
here I am to say that you’re my God.
You’re all together lovely,
all together worthy,
all together wonderful to me.

I’ll never know just what it cost
To see my sins upon the Cross.”

Since singing it in Russian for the first time a few weeks ago it often comes to my mind, and sometimes Artur will be singing it to himself as he walks down the hall of the dormitory floor.

Last Sunday I went with Zhanna, one of the other Seminary students, to worship at the First United Methodist Church of Moscow where she is a student pastor. Moscow’s First UMC is pastured by Ludmila Pavlovna Garbuzova, a wonderful woman I met in the late 90s when we were both at a Russia Initiative Consultation. Ludmila was a music professor and helped put together two hymnals for the UMC in Eurasia. She has even written hymns that are contained in the hymnals. One has many of the same traditional hymns of the UMC Hymnal published in the U.S. in the late ‘80s, but of course they have been translated into Russian. In addition, there are traditional Russian choir hymns and some new ones written by Ludmila and some other composers. The other UMC hymnal in Russian, “Mir Vam” (Peace Be With You”) has praise songs, some of which are translated from English and some of which are original songs in Russian.

Over the years since even before the break-up of the Soviet Union, a lot of interesting things have taken place concerning the development of the UMC in the former Soviet Republics. Except for the Baltic Republics, all of the former Soviet Union is part of the United Methodist administrative region known as “The Eurasian Area.” In case you don’t know how the United Methodist Church sets things up, within the Eurasian area there are five geographical “annual conferences” in the Eurasian Area, each one separated into geographical districts. The whole Eurasian area is overseen by Bishop Hans Vaxby and the members of his Cabinet made up of the District Superintendents of all the districts and some other pastors who work directly for the Bishop.

I have been involved with the work of the United Methodist Church in the former Soviet Union since the early 90s in one way or another. It’s been wonderful to see the interactions between people from the U.S. and people here. Many folks from the U.S. have come as part of Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams. The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries founded what is called the Russia Initiative in the early 90s as a way that exchanges could take place between United Methodists from outside of Eurasia and those over here. Many pastors and leaders from the Eurasian area have come to the U.S. for the Russia Initiative Consultations held every year and a half or so.

Youth and adults from UMCs in Europe have also participated in VIM trips, especially in order to help remodel or construct buildings at the Russian UMC Camp in southwest Russia, and to participate in camping programs with youth from Eurasian UMCs. The people I know in the UMC here in the Eurasian area are full of joy. They share their love and faith in many ways. A meal is usually prepared for everyone to eat together either before or after Sunday worship, and the congregations are involved in actively showing God’s love in many ways including feeding poor and homeless folks, outreach to orphans, and supporting people going through rehabilitation programs.

Anyway, last week I was so blessed to be able to see Ludmila Garbuzova again, and to worship with the people in the church she serves. Then on Monday the Seminary students had the day off, so I invited four of them to go with me to see the historic Lavra (Monastery) of the Holy Trinity in Sergeev Posad a town about an hour and a half’s train ride north of downtown Moscow.

Zhanna and I had the idea of going together when we were taking the Metro back from the First UMC service on Sunday. Then, when we saw the other three students who live in the dorm, Artur, Zhenya and Sasha, I asked them if they wanted to go with us. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, you can see some photos from our field trip by going to this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=22426&id=100000104723008&l=8186ea1ba3

Then on Tuesday I went with another friend named Zhanna to the Moscow Art Theater’s production of a play made from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel, “The Master and Margarita.” As you might expect knowing the reputation of the theater in Russia, it was exceptionally well done and fascinating. You can find photos taken of Zhanna and me near Red Square before we had dinner together at a “Planeta Sushi” Japanese restaurant in the “Hunter’s Row shopping mall with a view of the western wall of the Kremlin by going to this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=22785&id=100000104723008&l=fa80746fe9

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Blessings and Love -- Kathy


Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012
kwharris777@gmail.com

Guests and a Trip to the Tretyakov April 21, 2010

Guests and a Trip to the Tretyakov April 21, 2010

Wishing You Joy Peace and Love . . . Now and Always!


Dear One –

I find it hard to believe that my grandson Noah is now thirteen years old, as of two days ago, and on April 25th my Dad will be eighty-three. It’s hard to be so far away for such important events such as birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! Nevertheless, it’s good to know that there are a lot of good memories of those days, and I can look forward to being together in the future.

This past weekend there was a special event in the Seminary here. Some young people who are exploring their calls to ministry came to find out more about the academic programs and what it is like for the students who live here. With great joy, the students, and all who are involved in the Seminary, from the president on down worked hard hosting the guests. There were around ten visitors, and I was invited to participate in worship services and in the programs for them. The highlight of Saturday was a special music fest.

A friend who was a student here three years ago was one of the performers. When she saw me walk into the room she looked very surprised and happy to see me, as I was to see her. She beautifully played the guitar and sang two praise songs she had written. Then one of the current seminary students got up to perform some Christian rap (in Russian!) and then he sang a beautiful praise song in the mode of traditional Russian folk songs. Other students recited poetry and played their guitars. It was a joy-filled time when each person who shared his or her talents was enthusiastically applauded by the members of the audience.
Each performer was given a box of chocolates to thank them for performing. And most of them shared their chocolates with everyone when we went down the hall to the dining room afterwards to have some tea together.

Then on Sunday morning, the visitors had another informational presentation about the United Methodist Church. After that there was a worship service with communion. In the afternoon, two of the students took some of the visitors down to the Tretyakov Art Museum. They invited me to come along, so I was blessed to be with them and to see the wonderful Russian art work in the museum again for the first time in three years.
It was the kind of lovely early spring Sunday when people apparently wanted to get out and about. Couples and families with young children were on the Metro trains, strolling along the boulevards and passageways around the city. Compared to the hustle and bustle during the weekdays, people for the most part seemed relaxed.

There were nine of us, so one of the biggest challenges was getting all of us in and out the metro train cars before the doors closed again. The train cars were sometimes crowded, but whenever there was a vacant seat, one of the young gentlemen in our group made sure I was invited to sit down. And, just to show you that in Russia chivalry isn’t dead amongst strangers, there was one time on a Metro train that a man around my age got up and offered me his place!
A lot has been going on since Sunday, but I will wait until the next journal entry to tell you about it.
Blessings -- Kathy

Ask, Seek and Knock!

Then [Jesus] said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:5-13

Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012

kwharris777@gmail.com

On the Road Again -- to Russia! April 2010

On the Road Again!! April 5, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always! April 2010

Dear One --
How are you? I hope all is well with you and yours.

I am leaving for Russia on Saturday and decided to use Constant Contact to send my usual travel journal entries. It's easy to unsubscribe if you want to -- and if you are interested in forwarding the e-mail to a friend, that's fine with me.

You may know that I am heading overseas again. It's a blessing that I will be able to spend almost three months in Russia to work on my Doctorate of Ministry, God willing. Bishop Hans Vaxby, the United Methodist Bishop of the Eurasian Area (which is most of the former Soviet Union) has given me permission to work on two independent study courses and my doctoral project over there. I'll be in Moscow for almost a month, and then travel around a bit to visit with friends who are pastors and District Superintendents of the Russian United Methodist Churches. I hope I will be able to be encouraging and helpful to them all.

With great joy, for the last week I have been visiting my Mom and Dad in Florida. We had a lovely time on Easter yesterday when my sister Jennifer, her husband, Mike and their daughter, Chelsea joined us. We had a delicious Easter dinner and then Dad and Mike went out fishing for a while. They both loved that, and even caught some fish!

When my son Tom called to wish us Happy Easter from southern California, the earthquake happened in the middle of our call! They were all OK, but it shook me up for a few minutes. Blessedly, they know what to do when they first feel a tremor, and they all got out of the house right away. A few minutes later Tom said that my daughter, Krista, was calling him because he saw her number on call waiting. Seems like they are close enough that she knew right when to call, just when they had been feeling the earthquake tremors!

Tomorrow I fly to Washington, D.C., to pick up my passport and to spend some time in the Wesley Seminary library before heading to Moscow. I would appreciate any prayers for safe travel and for my family while I'm in Russia, if you feel led.

During my travels, I will be able to check my e-mail off and on, so please keep in touch if you feel like it!

As ever, I will be praying for you and yours.

May God continue to bless and keep you and all those you love.

Blessings -- Kathy

 * * *

Blessed Are Those . . .!

"Blessed are those who are poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." [Matthew 5:3-9]

_____

Here in Moscow April 13, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always! April 2010

Dear One --
How are you? I hope all is well with you and yours.

I am writing today from the United Methodist Seminary in Moscow, praising God that I arrived here safely on Sunday afternoon! Since I last wrote to you, I traveled from Florida to Washington, D.C., after visiting with my parents and my sister and her family. I needed to be in D.C. to pick up my passport with the visa imprinted in it, andthere was a bit of a time crunch because it is somewhat unpredictable how long it will take for the Russian Embassy in D.C. to process a visa request. I also wanted to spend some time at the Wesley Theological Seminary (WTS) library in preparation for the studying I am here in Russia to do.

I was blessed that a dear friend in Washington offered her generous and gracious hospitality to me again. I also stayed with her back in January during my Doctorate of Ministry Session at WTS. However, a few days after I arrived in Washington, my friend's mother passed away after suffering with several health issues during the past six months or so. Please keep my friend and her family in your prayers as you feel led. Of course they are dealing with their grief, but also celebrating the life of my friend's mother, who was a fabulous, joy-filled and very loving woman, as is my friend.

During the first few days I was in Washington, it was unseasonably hot -- in the 90s. But on Saturday morning, it was much cooler, like a normal spring day in April there. I had arranged to take a taxi to Dulles Airport with the same driver who had driven me from National Airport to my friend's house on last Tuesday evening. He told me that he was Ethiopian when I commented a small cross I saw hanging from his rear view mirror. On both drives we talked about how things are in Ethiopia, how long he had been in the U.S., and our faith. That reminded me of something I have been wanting to write about for a long time.

When I was ordained some friends gave me a gift of an ancient silver cross from the early days of Christianity. You can see the curved edges of three of the five silver Roman coins from which it was made at the bottom of the cross and at each end of its two arms.

I saw a coin like it in a collection of coins found on his archeological expeditions in Jordan by one of our WTS Old Testament professors who is also a biblical archeologist, Dr. David Hopkins. He said that coins of that type were minted by the Roman Empire between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D. So the cross I was given is between 1600 and 1800 years old. The particular style of the cross has its origins in the Coptic Church, which began in ancient Ethiopia and still has believers in Egypt and in modern-day Ethiopia (and also some who are immigrants in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere!)

According to the traditions of the Coptic Church, the Ethiopian people came to believe in Christ because of an event narrated in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:26-40). An Ethiopian Eunuch, who was an official of the court of the Candace, the queen of the Ethiopian people, had been worshipping in Jerusalem for the Passover at the time of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The Apostle Philip had an encounter with him, and he asked Philip to explain prophecies about Jesus Christ in the Hebrew scriptures. Philip did as he asked. Upon hearing the Gospel that Philip proclaimed to him, the Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip to baptize him. His conversion led him to share his faith when he returned home, and the Ethiopian people were one of the first nations to become believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Two good friends gave me the cross arranged on a leather string along with fourteen ancient glass beads made from pink sand. One of the friends was working in an antiquities shop, and she told me that the beads might be over two thousand years old. She also told me about the symbolism of the design of my cross.

From the top down there are four different symbols, each from different cultures in the Roman Empire around the time of the Early Church. The very top of the cross curves in a semi-circle, and there are little rays protruding from the curve. It looks like a sunrise and signifies the dawn on the day of Jesus' Resurrection. Early believers in Christianity saw significance in the idea that Resurrection Day was the dawn of a brand new era for creation.

Underneath the curve of the rays there is a symbol that has four ovals connected to each other in the middle. I was told that it is a traditional African design representing the Creator. Beneath that symbol there are several bars of silver with spaces in between them. Below that, the body of the cross has a kind of lattice work design with open spaces in between the overlapping diagonal strands. The lattice work is reminiscent of a Celtic symbol for eternity.

If you look up "ancient Coptic crosses" on a search engine online, you might find a photo of a cross that looks like the one I was given.

I'm still jet-lagging, so I won't write more tonight. I will tell you more about the rest of my trip to Moscow and my impressions of the city compared to how it seemed when I was here three years ago.

As ever, I will be praying for you and yours. Please let me know if you have any specific prayer requests. And please pray for the pastors and people of the United Methodist Church in the Eurasia Area. Already today I have been blessed to see old friends and to meet some folks I haven't known before, including several of the students who are now studying here at Grace Russian United Methodist Seminary in Moscow.

May God continue to bless and keep you and all those you love.

Blessings -- Kathy


 * * * *


God Has Good Plans for You
For I know the plans for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope. When you call out to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me you will find me, if you seek me with all your heart
Jeremiah 29:11-13

______

Dear One –

It seems like I have a lot to tell you, so I think I will relate all I have to say over the next few days. My impressions of Moscow this time, three years after I was last here include things that have changed and things that seem to have stayed the same. First, though, I want to back up and tell you more about the trip over here.

I flew from Dulles airport to JFK airport in New York in one of those smaller shuttle airplanes often called a puddle-jumper. It was packed. In the waiting area before boarding and while on the plane, I spoke with several people who were also heading up to JFK to catch planes going overseas.

 Two were heading to Nigeria for a conference on AIDS education, and the wife of an elderly couple told me that they were thrilled to be on their way to Egypt for the first time. I told her that as a child I had loved learning about ancient Egyptian history and culture and that I went through a phase when I wanted to be an anthropologist or an archeologist. She said that was a phase she had been through as well.

Once we arrived at JFK, we deplaned down a ladder and walked under an enclosed canopy hallway for what seemed like two blocks. I had to make my way to the terminal next door to the one where I had deplaned from the flight from D.C., and I had about four and an half hours between flights. The Aeroflot counter didn’t open until around three fifteen, so I had some lunch while I waited to check in for the flight. Having to go through two airport security processes in the same day was kind of frustrating, but necessary. It’s better just to “go with the flow” and not fuss about the things I can’t change.

The weather in New York was the same as it was in Washington, with the cold air of an early spring day, but still bright and sunshiny. Turned out that Moscow was in the same state as New York was in terms of what was green, and what wasn’t. The temperature was about the same and the sun shone brightly in a beautifully cloudless sky.

The long flight to Moscow was uneventful and pleasant. I watched two movies and had several conversations with the young woman who sat next to me. She was on the way to visit her family in Minsk, but married to an American man. She told me that she had a ten year old daughter and studied singing in a conservatory. So she sings as a soloist in the choir of a Russian Orthodox Church in New York.

As she described her solo for the Resurrection liturgy, I could just imagine how beautiful it must have been. She said she had come with her choir to the celebration of the reunion of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad with the Church in Russia. During the Soviet era, as you probably know, the two parts of the Russian Orthodox Church were estranged because of the repression of faith by the Soviet government.

 The reunion was celebrated during the first week that I was here in Moscow in 2007, and I wrote about it in my 2007 Moscow Journal. It was fun to tell the young woman who sat next to me that I had also been in Moscow when she and many others were praising God in song and worship at the beautiful Christ the Savior Cathedral that they finished rebuilding in 2004. I described the beauty of that cathedral in the 2007 journal, too.

With great joy, I saw Christ the Savior Cathedral again on Tuesday because it happened that I went to visit an old friend in his office which is a few blocks away from the Cathedral. I know that many of you received the entries in the 2007 journal, so I don’t want to be repetitive here. If you would like me to send you more details about Christ the Savior Cathedral because you didn’t hear about it earlier, or you don’t remember what I wrote about it so long ago, I will be glad to oblige. Just let me know.

After leaving the Sheremetyevo International Airport on the outskirts of Moscow, I found and cab and was driven to the Methodist Building.

If you come to visit on the Moscow Metro’s Red Line, you will find that it is about five Metro stops southwest of the Kremlin, which is in the hub of downtown Moscow, though it is not exactly in the center of the metropolis. The Moscow River winds its way through the downtown area in the south central part of the city, and the Kremlin was originally built as a fortress on its banks.

The Methodist Building houses the Grace Russian United Methodist Seminary, the offices of Bishop Vaxby, and a worship space which several congregations use. Upon arriving, I immediately felt that I had come home and was graciously welcomed and escorted up to my room on the third floor, where the students and others who work in the Seminary live. The room I was given is right next door to the room I stayed in three years ago! It also has a window skylight in the slope of the roof, but is a larger room that has three beds in it.

Three years ago my bed was right under the window, and I enjoyed watching the night sky and being awakened by the light that shone through the window in the morning. However, this time I gave myself a few nights to sleep on a bed in the furthest corner away from the skylight window. I was still sleeping at unpredictable times because of jet lag, so that made more sense. But last night I moved over to the bed under the window and enjoyed waking up because of the light this morning.

I promised you some reflections on first impressions this time in Moscow. The main changes I noticed during the ride from the airport were that there were even more billboards, more new buildings and more cars on the main highway from the northwest outskirts of the city where the airport is all the way to the Khamnovichesky Val near the Weavers District where the Methodist Building is.

As I wrote in my 2007 journal, Leo Tolstoy owned a house in the Weavers’ District, a few blocks from the first Russian Orthodox Church I went to in Russia, called St. Nicholas of the Weavers. Both his house and the church are in walking distance from the Methodist Building, and I walked by the church the other day. It was wonderful to see it again.

Probably that is enough for now. I have some reading to do before I head to bed. Hopefully tonight and tomorrow morning I will finally find that my internal clock has caught up to the time zone here. We’ll see!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and yours.

With Love -- Kathy

The God of Peace Will Be With You

The Apostle Paul wrote to his beloved friends in Philippi -- “ . . .whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—think about these things. 9 All that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
[Philippians 4:8-9]

 ______

Chirping Birds April 15, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always! April 2010

Dear One –
Hope this finds you and yours well and happy.

The window in the sloping ceiling of my room is open this afternoon, and I can hear the birds chirping in the trees around the Methodist Building. Situated in the courtyard between some apartment houses, a school building and a factory/office complex, the building has some fruit trees in its yard. There are deciduous trees that provide shade, too. And beyond the fence that surrounds the grounds around the edifice, also situated in the courtyard sheltered by the other twelve and fifteen storied buildings towering over the three stories of the Methodist Building, there is a playground.

Apartment complexes in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union are often designed with what amounts to a little park in the space in between the buildings. When I’ve been outside, the only birds I have noticed are some pigeons, and I’m sure the chirping I have heard all day does not originate from them. Three years ago, I know the robins were around in May. They arrived back to northern Georgia in March, and I saw some in Washington, D.C., last week, but I think they are still being expected here. I will keep looking for them.

A friend in England wrote to ask about Christ the Savior Cathedral and some questions about what we have to eat here and the standard of living in Russia, etc. I will copy what I wrote to her:

I will tell you some things I know about The Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and you can see some good photos of it and find out more of its history on the official web site:

http://www.xxc.ru/english/index.htm

And also on the Wikipedia web site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Christ_the_Saviour

When it was built in 1812 it was the largest church in all of the countries that were Christian. Stalin had it torn down in 1931, and an outdoor swimming pool was built on the site. The pool was heated and used year-round in the Soviet era.
In the fall of 1977 when we met some Soviet exchange professors, our friend who was the head of the Geo-Thermodynamic Department at Moscow University told us that he was one of those who swam in the pool for exercise all year round. I marveled at that, wondering what it must be like to swim outdoors when it is snowing.

But my friends who live in Rosemont on the western slope of the Rockies in Colorado often go to the natural hot springs pool in Ouray, even in the winter, so they too, must know what it is like to swim when it is snowing. There is kind of a canyon in the part of Ouray where the hot springs pool complex is, and even in the summer, it is lovely to sit in the hot water and look up at the mountains on either side. So they might understand how it was here in Moscow swimming in the winter, although swimming in the midst of a city on the plains compared to swimming in a canyon between the mountains would still be different!

I always thought that was ironic, because even though he tore it down because he didn't believe in God, because the swimming pool was built on that site of the church, it was holy ground and all those years whoever swam in it was swimming in holy water, as far as I'm concerned!! The Orthodox Church rebuilt it after the breakup of the Soviet Union, and it is very beautiful. It is near the river, not far from the Kremlin, and on its grounds there is a statue of Tsar Nicholas II, who with his family was martyred by the Bolsheviks. The statue is of the Tsar saluting the Cathedral with his back to the Kremlin.

Russian food includes soup for lunch and supper -- lots of different kinds, but usually with potatoes in them . . . though the classic Russian soups are beet soup and cabbage soup. Often cooked bulgar wheat groats and other cooked cereals will show up at any meal. I have lunch in the Seminary on week days. It is made by a woman who cooks very well.

Yesterday the bulgar wheat groats had slices of gizzards or hearts in them . . . chicken or beef, I am not sure in addition to the soup . . . today we had some pasta with a light tomato sauce on it. There is always a salad of some kind at lunch or dinner, too . . . maybe little cubes of potatoes and carrots and tomatoes and some peas with tomato sauce, or with mayonnaise . . . or maybe some sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumbers with salt and vinegar and a bit of sugar . . . or sliced cucumbers and slivers of onions in vinegar.

In restaurants you can find shashlik -- shish kabobs -- as well as the classic Russian dishes like Beef Romanoff and stuffed cabbage, piroshki, which are buns stuffed with meat, cheese, or potatoes; and of course Chicken Kiev. (Okay, I know. . . Kiev is the capital of Ukraine, but it’s a common kind of dish in Russian cuisine.)

For my regular breakfasts and dinners on my own here in the Seminary Building I usually buy some fresh bread from the little store around the corner. There are also bigger modern grocery stores a few blocks away with everything you or I could hope to find in our grocery stores along with Russian types of food as I mentioned above. But there are also old-fashioned markets (bazaars . . . in Russian "bazariy") which are in buildings like big warehouses and outside of them are little booths or kind of like small cabins with windows you go up to in order whatever they are selling, and there is usually just one person inside. Everything is much less expensive at the bazaars compared to the modern type grocery stores.

The standard of living in Moscow depends on your economic class . . . I think I read recently that it has the highest percentage of billionaires in the world. But it’s a big city and there are lots of opportunities here. I have been told that outside of Moscow people have fewer opportunities, and the world economy is tough in many places. In Kazakhstan it was similar. In the old capital city, and in the new capital city, things were more like they are in contemporary Western economies, but in smaller cities -- and especially in small towns, and out in the countryside people were having very difficult time.

There was one other thing I wanted to tell you. Most cars seem to be black or silver. And maybe I have seen a few white or aluminum sided trucks. But the other day when I was walking back to the Metro near Christ the Savior Cathedral, I was very surprised to see a car that was the same shade of pink that the ladies who do very well selling Mary Kay Cosmetics drive. Do you suppose there are Mary Kay ladies here, too? I am hoping to find out, and I will let you know. Many Russian women are very stylish and wear beautiful make-up. So anything is possible!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and yours.

With Love -- Kathy

Don’t Worry About ANYTHING!

[ Jesus said,] ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  [Matthew 6:25-34]

_______

First Communion and Answers-April 16, 2010

Wishing You Joy, Peace and Love . . . Now and Always! April 2010

Dear One -

Hope this finds you and yours well and happy.

Seems like I left you yesterday with two questions (at least). The first one was answered by a Russian friend who now lives in Florida.

After reading what I wrote about seeing the pink car that reminded me of Mary Kay Cosmetics, my friend wrote to let me know that indeed, since 1991 there have been Mary Kay Consultants in Russia and other countries that were part of the former Soviet Union. Her sister is one of them!

The second question was: What kinds of birds were chirping in the courtyard? So last evening I took a walk and paid attention to the birds. I think the chirpers are sparrows, and I always love to see them because they remind me of the Gospel hymn, "His Eye is on the Sparrow", and of course the scripture passage on which the hymn is based (Matthew 10:29-31 - see below). Whenever I see them I remember that God watches over me . . . and over you, too.

When I went for the walk my heart was full of joy because I had been invited by one of the students to come to a Communion and Praise service. The Communion celebrant is a friend who works with the Bishop. Three years ago I met her here right before she left to go to Washington to receive her Doctorate of Ministry degree from Wesley Seminary, and then I saw her again right before I left here, and she took me out to dinner.

 Yesterday was the first time I had seen her since then, so I was very happy she was celebrating Communion at the service.
We sang some praise songs and then shared Communion together. There were just five of us there, so it felt very special. Two of the participants were young men who are seminary students here. There was also a student from Africa who is studying at Moscow University.

It was so lovely.

Some of the praise songs we sang were favorites of mine in English, translated into Russian, and some had been written originally in Russian. I love singing hymns and praise songs in the Russian language no matter how small or large the congregation is. Throughout the Great Thanksgiving of Communion and the time of singing praise songs, I felt the loving presence of the Holy Spirit very deeply, and praise God.

After Communion, we sat in a circle around a table, and one of the seminary students read "The Upper Room" meditation in Russian for yesterday, and we all took turns reflecting on it. The United Methodist daily devotional publication called "The Upper Room" has been published in English for seventy-five years. It is currently also published in forty languages all together, including Russian.

I just saw the Russian version for the first time a few days after I arrived here, and I was so excited. They have published it in Russian for about a year. Also in the past year meditations written by my friend who celebrated Communion yesterday, by the Bishop here, and by another good friend in ministry in the Moscow area have appeared in "The Upper Room." I was delighted to see their names at the bottom of the pages their meditations were on when I read them.

When we finished talking about "The Upper Room" passage, we then all spoke about our prayer requests. Finally each person prayed for his or her brother or sister in Christ on his or her left as we went around the circle.

By the time we dispersed my heart was so full of joy I just couldn't stay inside the building. The beautiful early evening light caused the edges of some small high clouds to be a bit pink.

It was cool, and after paying attention to the sparrows as I mentioned earlier, I left the courtyard to walk along the sidewalk of the busy boulevard known as Komsomolskiy Prospect. Many people were walking quickly down the sidewalks on either side of the street, and rush hour traffic continually filled the side of the four lane thoroughfare leading out of the downtown area near the Kremlin. However, there were almost as many cars heading the other way. It seemed tense, and the noise of the speeding and stopping cars felt almost like an assault to me.

I had to work hard to keep the feelings I had of peace and joy in the midst of such busyness all around me. So I thought the best thing to do was just to pray for the people I saw. Of course, that increased my joy and the knowledge of the presence of the Holy Spirit. So I praise God for the Lord's grace and faithfulness.

Several people wrote and commented on my descriptions of the food here, so I will tell you about lunch today. We had one of my favorite Russian foods -- pilmeni, which are kind of like the Italian tortellini (little ravioli). They are served either in soup or with a big dollop of sour cream on top. Actually often people put sour cream in soup like borscht (beet soup) or shchi (cabbage soup), too.

I was just about to send this and I realized that it was time to meet with two of the students for some English conversation practice. We started doing that a few days ago, and sometimes there have been four of them. It's always fun to teach English. In this case, I am also able to brush up my Russian as we go back and forth between the languages.

After the English conversation practice, I was invited to have some tea in another student's room with three students and three young people who are visiting. It was fun to be with them all, and I enjoyed hearing their jokes and laughter, and in taking part in their joy. We had tea, bread, fried eggs and Ukrainian sausage. (Actually that was one of the jokes, though . . . it wasn't really Ukrainian!) Though now that I have written it, I realize that I guess you would have had to be here to get it . . .

*grin*

Most of the young people eventually left to head out into the beautiful "Podmoskovniy Vecher" -- Moscow Evening. There is a song called "Evenings in Moscow" that everyone has heard on muzak in elevators. If you realize the music you hear is from a balalaika orchestra, it just might be that song!

I was just humming it as I came back to my room after visiting with the student who hosted the evening tea party also known as a vecherinka. I was blessed as we talked and found that she and I have some similarities in our spiritual journeys and our calls to ministry. And I was touched that she would share with me as she did.
How lovely to find new sisters and brothers in Christ!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you and yours.

With Love -- Kathy

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31


Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2010
kwharris777@gmail.com

A Lenten Devotional -- Time Aside With God and St. Teresa of Avila

-->

Time Aside with God

and

St. Teresa of Avila

VOLUME 1

Let nothing disturb you;

Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patient endurance attains to all things.
The one who possesses God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices ^[i]

Kathleen Ware Harris

INTRODUCTION

Use of This Book as a Devotional Resource

This book is intended to be a devotional aid to help you draw closer to God.  In James 4:8, we read, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  We draw closer to God through prayer, through worship, through study, and through the practice of other Christian disciplines. 

As we explore the relationship St. Teresa of Avila had with God over the next forty days – or in whatever time frame you choose to encounter this experience, we hope that your relationship with God will be strengthened.

Each page includes a structure to provide a framework for your devotion as follows:

Invocation – The Lord's Prayer and/or any prayer of your heart may be used to center your spirit and open your heart to the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila – The daily reading is a short passage from The Interior Castle or from the Letters of St. Teresa.

 Listening with Your Heart  – You may wish to spend some time in quiet contemplation, spending time with your heart and spiritual ear open to the Holy Spirit.

Space for Written Reflection – If you choose to write any reflections, there is space on the page, or perhaps you will wish to use a notebook or diary for this purpose.

Reading from Holy Scripture – Several scripture passages are suggested, but you may of course choose another passage or others as you feel led.

Closing Prayer – You may wish to end your devotions with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving – and/or with supplication.

Of course you may use the book in any way that seems best to you.  We pray that your time aside with the Lord will increase your peace and that by the power of His Holy Spirit, God in Christ will indeed draw you closer to His heart.

Soli Deo Gloria!

---

[i]http://www.cincicarm.org/st_teresa_of_avila.htm


Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012
kwharris777@gmail.com

TIME ASIDE WITH GOD AND ST. TERESA OF AVILA

DAY 1

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

I THOUGHT OF THE SOUL AS RESEMBLING A CASTLE, FORMED OF A SINGLE DIAMOND OR A VERY TRANSPARENT CRYSTAL CONTAINING MANY ROOMS, JUST AS IN HEAVEN THERE ARE MANY MANSIONS.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY DWELLING PLACES; IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU; FOR I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. [JOHN 14:2]

CLOSING PRAYER


DAY 2

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

WHAT, DO YOU IMAGINE, MUST THAT DWELLING BE IN WHICH A KING SO MIGHTY, SO WISE, AND SO PURE, CONTAINING IN HIMSELF ALL GOOD, CAN DELIGHT TO REST?

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

. . .IF YOU SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOU WILL FIND HIM IF YOU LOOK FOR HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL. (DEUTERONOMY 4:29)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 3

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

AS FAR AS I CAN UNDERSTAND, THE GATE BY WHICH TO ENTER THIS CASTLE IS PRAYER AND MEDITATION.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

YET GIVE ATTENTION TO YOUR SERVANT''S PRAYER AND HIS PLEA FOR MERCY, O LORD MY GOD. HEAR THE CRY AND THE PRAYER THAT YOUR SERVANT IS PRAYING IN YOUR PRESENCE. (2 CHRONICLES 6:19)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 4

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

IN A STATE OF GRACE THE SOUL IS LIKE A WELL OF LIMPID WATER, FROM WHICH FLOW ONLY STREAMS OF CLEAREST CRYSTAL. ITS WORKS ARE PLEASING BOTH TO GOD AND MAN, RISING FROM THE RIVER OF LIFE, BESIDE WHICH IT IS ROOTED LIKE A TREE.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

THEN THE ANGEL SHOWED ME THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE, AS CLEAR AS CRYSTAL, FLOWING FROM THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB (REVELATION 22:1)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 5

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

But the soul by sinning withdraws from this stream of life, and growing beside a black and fetid pool, can produce nothing but disgusting and unwholesome fruit.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

HE CUTS OFF EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT BEARS NO FRUIT, WHILE EVERY BRANCH THAT DOES BEAR FRUIT HE PRUNES SO THAT IT WILL BE EVEN MORE FRUITFUL. (JOHN 15:2)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 6

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

THE SOUL IS LIKE A CRYSTAL IN THE SUNSHINE OVER WHICH A THICK BLACK CLOTH HAS BEEN THROWN, SO THAT HOWEVER BRIGHTLY THE SUN MAY SHINE THE CRYSTAL CAN NEVER REFLECT IT.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS TO ME: "I WILL REMAIN QUIET AND WILL LOOK ON FROM MY DWELLING PLACE, LIKE SHIMMERING HEAT IN THE SUNSHINE, LIKE A CLOUD OF DEW IN THE HEAT OF HARVEST." (ISAIAH 18:4)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 7

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

O JESUS! HOW SAD A SIGHT MUST BE A SOUL DEPRIVED OF LIGHT! WHAT A TERRIBLE STATE THE CHAMBERS OF THIS CASTLE ARE IN!

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

DARKNESS COMES UPON THEM IN THE DAYTIME; AT NOON THEY GROPE AS IN THE NIGHT. (JOB 5:14)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 8

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

Now let us turn at last to our castle with its many mansions. You must not think of a suite of rooms placed in succession, but fix your eyes on the keep, the court inhabited by the King.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

AND IN HIM YOU TOO ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER TO BECOME A DWELLING IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT. (EPHESIANS 2:22)

Closing Prayer



Day 9

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narrow bounds. Since God has given it such great dignity, permit it to wander at will through the rooms of the castle, from the lowest to the highest.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf (Hebrews 6:19)

Closing Prayer


Day 10

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

Let the soul not force itself to remain for very long in the same mansion, even that of self-knowledge. Mark well, however, that self-knowledge is indispensable, even for those whom God takes to dwell in the same mansion with Himself.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Proverbs 2:10)

Closing Prayer



Day 11

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

. . . Remember, the bee leaves its hive to fly in search of flowers and the soul should sometimes cease thinking of itself to rise in meditation on the grandeur and majesty of its God.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Closing Prayer

Day 12

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

. . . Self-knowledge is of such consequence that I would not have you careless of it, though you may be lifted to heaven in prayer, because while on earth nothing is more needful than humility.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. (2 Samuel 22:28)

Closing Prayer



Day 13

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

I believe we shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavouring to know God, for, beholding His greatness we are struck by our own baseness, His purity shows our foulness, and by meditating on His humility we find how very far we are from being humble.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. (Psalm 45:4)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 14

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

TWO ADVANTAGES ARE GAINED BY THIS PRACTICE. FIRST, IT IS CLEAR THAT WHITE LOOKS FAR WHITER WHEN PLACED NEAR SOMETHING BLACK, AND ON THE CONTRARY, BLACK NEVER LOOKS SO DARK AS WHEN SEEN BESIDE SOMETHING WHITE.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU ALWAYS; HE WILL SATISFY YOUR NEEDS IN A SUN-SCORCHED LAND AND WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR FRAME. YOU WILL BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN, LIKE A SPRING WHOSE WATERS NEVER FAIL. (ISAIAH 58:11)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 15

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

You must notice that the light which comes from the King's palace hardly shines at all in these first mansions; although not as gloomy and black as the soul in mortal sin, yet they are in semi-darkness, and their inhabitants see scarcely anything.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

WOE TO THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD AND GOOD EVIL, WHO PUT DARKNESS FOR LIGHT AND LIGHT FOR DARKNESS, WHO PUT BITTER FOR SWEET AND SWEET FOR BITTER. (ISAIAH 5:20)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 16


INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

. . . True perfection consists in the love of God and our neighbor, and the better we keep both these commandments, the more perfect we shall be.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

JESUS ANSWERED: " 'LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND' ; AND, 'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' " (LUKE 10:27)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 17

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

NOW LET US CONSIDER WHICH ARE THE SOULS THAT ENTER THE SECOND MANSIONS, AND WHAT THEY DO THERE . . . IN THIS PART OF THE CASTLE ARE FOUND SOULS WHICH HAVE BEGUN TO PRACTISE PRAYER . . .

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

AND PRAY IN THE SPIRIT ON ALL OCCASIONS WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS AND REQUESTS. WITH THIS IN MIND, BE ALERT AND ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING FOR ALL THE SAINTS. (EPHESIANS 6:18)

CLOSING PRAYER


DAY 18


INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

O MY LORD! WHAT NEED THERE IS HERE THAT, BY THY MERCY, THOU SHOULDST PREVENT THE SOUL FROM BEING DELUDED INTO FORSAKING THE GOOD BEGUN! ENLIGHTEN IT TO SEE THAT ITS WELFARE CONSISTS IN PERSEVERANCE IN THE RIGHT WAY, AND IN THE WITHDRAWING FROM BAD COMPANY.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

JESUS ANSWERED, "I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” (JOHN 14:16)

CLOSING PRAYER


DAY 19

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

HERE ARE WE, WITH A THOUSAND OBSTACLES, DRAWBACKS, AND IMPERFECTIONS WITHIN OURSELVES, OUR VIRTUES SO NEWLY BORN THAT THEY HAVE SCARCELY THE STRENGTH TO ACT (AND GOD GRANT THAT THEY EXIST AT ALL!) YET WE ARE NOT ASHAMED TO EXPECT SWEETNESS IN PRAYER AND TO COMPLAIN OF FEELING DRYNESS.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 20

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

REMEMBER, IT IS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE—THE SOLE AIM OF ONE BEGINNING TO PRACTISE PRAYER SHOULD BE TO ENDURE TRIALS, AND TO RESOLVE AND STRIVE TO THE UTMOST OF HER POWER TO CONFORM HER OWN WILL TO THE WILL OF GOD.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ASKING," JESUS SAID TO THEM. "CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP I AM GOING TO DRINK?" (MATTHEW 20:22A)

CLOSING PRAYER


DAY 21

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

IF WE NEVER LOOK UP AT HIM AND REFLECT ON WHAT WE OWE HIM FOR HAVING DIED FOR US, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN KNOW HIM, OR PERFORM GOOD DEEDS IN HIS SERVICE. WHAT VALUE IS THERE IN FAITH WITHOUT WORKS? AND WHAT ARE THEY WORTH IF THEY ARE NOT UNITED TO THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR ONLY GOOD?

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

A STUDENT IS NOT ABOVE HIS TEACHER, NOR A SERVANT ABOVE HIS MASTER. (MATTHEW 10:24)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 22

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

AS FOR THOSE WHO, BY THE MERCY OF GOD, HAVE VANQUISHED IN THESE COMBATS AND PERSEVERED UNTIL THEY REACHED THE THIRD MANSIONS, WHAT CAN WE SAY TO THEM BUT ‘BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD’?

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

BUT THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, ON THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE, ( PSALM 33:18)

CLOSING PRAYER



DAY 23

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

DO NOT ASK FOR WHAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE, NOR SHOULD WE EVER THINK, HOWEVER MUCH WE MAY HAVE DONE FOR GOD, THAT WE MERIT THE REWARD OF THE SAINTS, FOR WE HAVE OFFENDED HIM. OH, HUMILITY, HUMILITY!

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

AT THIS THE MAN'S FACE FELL. HE WENT AWAY SAD, BECAUSE HE HAD GREAT WEALTH. (MARK 10:22)

CLOSING PRAYER


DAY 24

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

HOW LITTLE IS ALL WE CAN DO FOR SO GENEROUS A GOD, WHO DIED FOR US, WHO CREATED US, WHO GIVES US BEING, THAT WE SHOULD NOT THINK OURSELVES HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIT OURSELVES OF PART OF THE DEBT WE OWE HIM FOR HAVING SERVED US, WITHOUT ASKING HIM FOR FRESH MERCIES AND FAVOURS?

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

SO YOU ALSO, WHEN YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING YOU WERE TOLD TO DO, SHOULD SAY, 'WE ARE UNWORTHY SERVANTS; WE HAVE ONLY DONE OUR DUTY. (LUKE 17:10)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 25

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

I BELIEVE THAT WHERE TRUE HUMILITY EXISTS, ALTHOUGH GOD SHOULD NEVER BESTOW CONSOLATIONS, YET HE GIVES A PEACE AND RESIGNATION WHICH MAKE THE SOUL HAPPIER THAN ARE OTHERS WITH SENSIBLE DEVOTION.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

SEEK THE LORD, ALL YOU HUMBLE OF THE LAND, YOU WHO DO WHAT HE COMMANDS. SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS, SEEK HUMILITY; PERHAPS YOU WILL BE SHELTERED ON THE DAY OF THE LORD'S ANGER. (ZEPHANIAH 2:3)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 26

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

SOULS SOON LEARN IN THIS WAY; THEY PERCEIVE THEIR FAULTS VERY CLEARLY, AND SOMETIMES THE DISCOVERY OF HOW QUICKLY THEY ARE OVERCOME BY BUT SLIGHT EARTHLY TRIALS IS MORE PAINFUL THAN THE SUBTRACTION OF GOD’S SENSIBLE FAVOURS. I CONSIDER THAT GOD THUS SHOWS THEM GREAT MERCY, FOR THOUGH THEIR BEHAVIOUR MAY BE FAULTY, YET THEY GAIN GREATLY IN HUMILITY.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE. JAMES 1:1-3

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 27

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

THOSE WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THESE CONSOLATIONS MAY FEEL A DESPONDENCY THAT IS UNCALLED FOR, SINCE PERFECTION DOES NOT CONSIST IN CONSOLATION BUT IN GREATER LOVE; OUR REWARD WILL BE IN PROPORTION TO THIS, AND TO THE JUSTICE AND SINCERITY OF OUR ACTIONS.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM. (HEBREWS 11:6)

CLOSING PRAYER

DAY 28

INVOCATION

READING FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA

WHEN THESE JOYS ARE FROM GOD THEY COME LADEN WITH LOVE AND STRENGTH, WHICH AID THE SOUL ON ITS WAY AND INCREASE ITS GOOD WORKS AND VIRTUES.

LISTENING WITH YOUR HEART

SPACE FOR WRITTEN REFLECTION

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READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

ARE GOD'S CONSOLATIONS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU, WORDS SPOKEN GENTLY TO YOU? (JOB15:11)

Closing Prayer



Day 29

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

Do not imagine that it is unimportant whether you try to obtain these graces or no; if you are not to blame, the Lord is just: what He refuses in one way, His Majesty will give you in another, as He knows how; His secret ways are very mysterious, and doubtless He will do what is best for you.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. (Matthew 12:18)

Closing Prayer

Day 30

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

I will now describe, as I promised, the difference between sweetness in prayer and spiritual consolations. It appears to me that what we acquire for ourselves in meditation and petitions to our Lord may be termed ‘sweetness in devotion.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Closing Prayer



Day 31

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

This sweetness arises principally from the good work we perform, and appears to result from our labours: well may we feel happy at having thus spent our time.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17)

Closing Prayer

Day 32

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

Spiritual consolations, on the contrary, arise from God, and our nature feels them and rejoices as keenly in them, and indeed far more keenly, than in the others I described.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, (Acts 2:26)

Closing Prayer



Day 33

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

These feelings of devotion are most common with souls in the first three mansions, who are nearly always using their understanding and reason in making meditations.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. (Psalm 49:3)

Closing Prayer


Day 34

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

What I call divine consolations, or have termed elsewhere the ’prayer of quiet,’ is a very different thing, as those will understand who, by the mercy of God, have experienced them.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

Closing Prayer



Day 35

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

To make the matter clearer, let us imagine we see two fountains with basins which fill with water. . . . These two basins are filled in different ways; the one with water from a distance flowing into it through many pipes and waterworks, while the other basin is built near the source of the spring itself and fills quite noiselessly.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:38

Closing Prayer

Day 36

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

If the fountain is plentiful, like the one we speak of, after the basin is full the water overflows in a great stream which flows continually.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)

Closing Prayer



Day 37

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

Such is the difference between the two kinds of prayer. The water running through the aqueducts resembles sensible devotion, which is obtained by meditation.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. (Psalm 119:27)

Closing Prayer


Day 38

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

The other fountain, like divine consolations, receives the water from the source itself, which signifies God: as usual, when His Majesty wills to bestow on us any supernatural favours, we experience the greatest peace, calm, and sweetness in the inmost depths of our being; I know neither where nor how.

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Closing Prayer



Day 39

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

This joy does not appear to me to originate in the heart, but in some more interior part and, as it were, in the depths of our being. I think this must be the centre of the soul . . .,

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

Closing Prayer

Day 40

Invocation

Reading from the Writings of St. Teresa of Avila

O my Lord and my God! how stupendous is Thy grandeur!

Listening with Your Heart

Space for Written Reflection

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Reading from Holy Scripture

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. (Psalm 108:5)

Closing Prayer



Conclusion

We trust that God in Jesus Christ has blessed you during the time you have spent seeking the Lord by reading and reflecting on the writings of St. Teresa of Avila.

If you wish to correspond with us or seek any spiritual companionship on your journey with the Lord, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Kathleen Ware Harris

The Peace Fellowship Association

kwharris777@gmail.com



PASSAGES


1. I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal containing many rooms, just as in heaven there are many mansions.

2. What, do you imagine, must that dwelling be in which a King so mighty, so wise, and so pure, containing in Himself all good, can delight to rest?

3. As far as I can understand, the gate by which to enter this castle is prayer and meditation.

4. In a state of grace the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree.

5. But the soul by sinning withdraws from this stream of life, and growing beside a black and fetid pool, can produce nothing but disgusting and unwholesome fruit.

6. The soul is like a crystal in the sunshine over which a thick black cloth has been thrown, so that however brightly the sun may shine the crystal can never reflect it.

7. O Jesus! how sad a sight must be a soul deprived of light! What a terrible state the chambers of this castle are in!

8. Now let us turn at last to our castle with its many mansions. You must not think of a suite of rooms placed in succession, but fix your eyes on the keep, the court inhabited by the King.

9. A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narrow bounds. Since God has given it such great dignity, permit it to wander at will through the rooms of the castle, from the lowest to the highest.

10. Let the soul not force itself to remain for very long in the same mansion, even that of self-knowledge. Mark well, however, that self-knowledge is indispensable, even for those whom God takes to dwell in the same mansion with Himself.

11. . . . Remember, the bee leaves its hive to fly in search of flowers and the soul should sometimes cease thinking of itself to rise in meditation on the grandeur and majesty of its God.

12.. . . Self-knowledge is of such consequence that I would not have you careless of it, though you may be lifted to heaven in prayer, because while on earth nothing is more needful than humility.

13. I believe we shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavouring to know God, for, beholding His greatness we are struck by our own baseness, His purity shows our foulness, and by meditating on His humility we find how very far we are from being humble.

14. Two advantages are gained by this practice. First, it is clear that white looks far whiter when placed near something black, and on the contrary, black never looks so dark as when seen beside something white.

15. You must notice that the light which comes from the King's palace hardly shines at all in these first mansions; although not as gloomy and black as the soul in mortal sin, yet they are in semi-darkness, and their inhabitants see scarcely anything.

16. . . . True perfection consists in the love of God and our neighbor, and the better we keep both these commandments, the more perfect we shall be.

17. Now let us consider which are the souls that enter the second mansions, and what they do there . . . In this part of the castle are found souls which have begun to practise prayer . . .

18. O my Lord! what need there is here that, by Thy mercy, Thou shouldst prevent the soul from being deluded into forsaking the good begun! Enlighten it to see that its welfare consists in perseverance in the right way, and in the withdrawing from bad company.

19. Here are we, with a thousand obstacles, drawbacks, and imperfections within ourselves, our virtues so newly born that they have scarcely the strength to act (and God grant that they exist at all!) yet we are not ashamed to expect sweetness in prayer and to complain of feeling dryness.

20. Remember, it is of the greatest importance—the sole aim of one beginning to practise prayer should be to endure trials, and to resolve and strive to the utmost of her power to conform her own will to the will of God.

Matthew 20:22

21. If we never look up at Him and reflect on what we owe Him for having died for us, I do not understand how we can know Him, or perform good deeds in His service. What value is there in faith without works? and what are they worth if they are not united to the merits of Jesus Christ, our only good?

Matthew 10:24

22. AS FOR THOSE WHO, BY THE MERCY OF GOD, HAVE VANQUISHED IN THESE COMBATS AND PERSEVERED UNTIL THEY REACHED THE THIRD MANSIONS, WHAT CAN WE SAY TO THEM BUT ‘BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD’?
23. DO NOT ASK FOR WHAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE, NOR SHOULD WE EVER THINK, HOWEVER MUCH WE MAY HAVE DONE FOR GOD, THAT WE MERIT THE REWARD OF THE SAINTS, FOR WE HAVE OFFENDED HIM. OH, HUMILITY, HUMILITY!
MARK 10:22
LUKE 17:10
24. HOW LITTLE IS ALL WE CAN DO FOR SO GENEROUS A GOD, WHO DIED FOR US, WHO CREATED US, WHO GIVES US BEING, THAT WE SHOULD NOT THINK OURSELVES HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIT OURSELVES OF PART OF THE DEBT WE OWE HIM FOR HAVING SERVED US, WITHOUT ASKING HIM FOR FRESH MERCIES AND FAVOURS?
25. I BELIEVE THAT WHERE TRUE HUMILITY EXISTS, ALTHOUGH GOD SHOULD NEVER BESTOW CONSOLATIONS, YET HE GIVES A PEACE AND RESIGNATION WHICH MAKE THE SOUL HAPPIER THAN ARE OTHERS WITH SENSIBLE DEVOTION.
26. SOULS SOON LEARN IN THIS WAY; THEY PERCEIVE THEIR FAULTS VERY CLEARLY, AND SOMETIMES THE DISCOVERY OF HOW QUICKLY THEY ARE OVERCOME BY BUT SLIGHT EARTHLY TRIALS IS MORE PAINFUL THAN THE SUBTRACTION OF GOD’S SENSIBLE FAVOURS. I CONSIDER THAT GOD THUS SHOWS THEM GREAT MERCY, FOR THOUGH THEIR BEHAVIOUR MAY BE FAULTY, YET THEY GAIN GREATLY IN HUMILITY.

27. THOSE WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THESE CONSOLATIONS MAY FEEL A DESPONDENCY THAT IS UNCALLED FOR, SINCE PERFECTION DOES NOT CONSIST IN CONSOLATION BUT IN GREATER LOVE; OUR REWARD WILL BE IN PROPORTION TO THIS, AND TO THE JUSTICE AND SINCERITY OF OUR ACTIONS.

28. WHEN THESE JOYS ARE FROM GOD THEY COME LADEN WITH LOVE AND STRENGTH, WHICH AID THE SOUL ON ITS WAY AND INCREASE ITS GOOD WORKS AND VIRTUES.
29. DO NOT IMAGINE THAT IT IS UNIMPORTANT WHETHER YOU TRY TO OBTAIN THESE GRACES OR NO; IF YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME, THE LORD IS JUST: WHAT HE REFUSES IN ONE WAY, HIS MAJESTY WILL GIVE YOU IN ANOTHER, AS HE KNOWS HOW; HIS SECRET WAYS ARE VERY MYSTERIOUS, AND DOUBTLESS HE WILL DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU.
30. I WILL NOW DESCRIBE, AS I PROMISED, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SWEETNESS IN PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL CONSOLATIONS. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT WHAT WE ACQUIRE FOR OURSELVES IN MEDITATION AND PETITIONS TO OUR LORD MAY BE TERMED ‘SWEETNESS IN DEVOTION.

31. THIS SWEETNESS ARISES PRINCIPALLY FROM THE GOOD WORK WE PERFORM, AND APPEARS TO RESULT FROM OUR LABOURS: WELL MAY WE FEEL HAPPY AT HAVING THUS SPENT OUR TIME.

32. SPIRITUAL CONSOLATIONS, ON THE CONTRARY, ARISE FROM GOD, AND OUR NATURE FEELS THEM AND REJOICES AS KEENLY IN THEM, AND INDEED FAR MORE KEENLY, THAN IN THE OTHERS I DESCRIBED.

33. THESE FEELINGS OF DEVOTION ARE MOST COMMON WITH SOULS IN THE FIRST THREE MANSIONS, WHO ARE NEARLY ALWAYS USING THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND REASON IN MAKING MEDITATIONS.

34. WHAT I CALL DIVINE CONSOLATIONS, OR HAVE TERMED ELSEWHERE THE ’PRAYER OF QUIET,’ IS A VERY DIFFERENT THING, AS THOSE WILL UNDERSTAND WHO, BY THE MERCY OF GOD, HAVE EXPERIENCED THEM.

35. TO MAKE THE MATTER CLEARER, LET US IMAGINE WE SEE TWO FOUNTAINS WITH BASINS WHICH FILL WITH WATER. . . . THESE TWO BASINS ARE FILLED IN DIFFERENT WAYS; THE ONE WITH WATER FROM A DISTANCE FLOWING INTO IT THROUGH MANY PIPES AND WATERWORKS, WHILE THE OTHER BASIN IS BUILT NEAR THE SOURCE OF THE SPRING ITSELF AND FILLS QUITE NOISELESSLY.

36. IF THE FOUNTAIN IS PLENTIFUL, LIKE THE ONE WE SPEAK OF, AFTER THE BASIN IS FULL THE WATER OVERFLOWS IN A GREAT STREAM WHICH FLOWS CONTINUALLY.

37. SUCH IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO KINDS OF PRAYER. THE WATER RUNNING THROUGH THE AQUEDUCTS RESEMBLES SENSIBLE DEVOTION, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY MEDITATION.

38. THE OTHER FOUNTAIN, LIKE DIVINE CONSOLATIONS, RECEIVES THE WATER FROM THE SOURCE ITSELF, WHICH SIGNIFIES GOD: AS USUAL, WHEN HIS MAJESTY WILLS TO BESTOW ON US ANY SUPERNATURAL FAVOURS, WE EXPERIENCE THE GREATEST PEACE, CALM, AND SWEETNESS IN THE INMOST DEPTHS OF OUR BEING; I KNOW NEITHER WHERE NOR HOW.

39. THIS JOY DOES NOT APPEAR TO ME TO ORIGINATE IN THE HEART, BUT IN SOME MORE INTERIOR PART AND, AS IT WERE, IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR BEING. I THINK THIS MUST BE THE CENTRE OF THE SOUL . . .,
40. O MY LORD AND MY GOD! HOW STUPENDOUS IS THY GRANDEUR!

END NOTES

http://www.cincicarm.org/st_teresa_of_avila.htm
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/castle2.v.i.html
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:2;&version=49; -- New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation, 1995


Kathleen Ware Harris  © 2012
kwharris777@gmail.com