On this Shabbat day, a day steeped in sanctity and serenity, I would like to bring in a reflection on the profound wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila, a mystic, reformer, and saint of the 16th century.
Her life and writings continue to inspire many in our spiritual journey, bridging diverse traditions and beliefs. Among her many contributions, one poem comes to me reflection on this Shabbat day:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which He looks Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands,
yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes,
you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours
,No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
— St. Teresa of Ávila
This simple yet profound message invites us to become vessels for the Divine, embodying the Light in our every action, thought, and interaction.
On Shabbat, we are reminded of the Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence that dwells among us, offering direct access to the spiritual realms. It is a day when the veils between the sacred and the mundane thin, allowing us to experience the divine in a more intimate and profound way. St. Teresa's words echo this sentiment, urging us to recognize that we are not merely passive recipients of the Divine's blessings but active participants in manifesting Alaha's presence in the world.
Being a vessel for the Light is the essence of Shabbat. It is a day to celebrate life, to consecrate our daily actions to something greater than ourselves, and to renew our commitment to live in alignment with the Divine will. St. Teresa's call to see Christ in everyone and to serve Christ through our actions helps us see others as the light, a reminder that the divine spark resides within each person we encounter.
On this Shabbat, let us embrace the wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila, allowing her words to guide us in our observance and celebration. Let every action, word, and thought be a prayer directed towards the Light. In our interactions, may we see the divine presence in others, acknowledging that each person is a manifestation of the Shekhinah. Through this recognition, our daily lives become a living prayer to the divine, a continuous act of worship and a celebration of the sacredness within and around us.
As we light the Shabbat candles, let us remember that we, too, are bearers of the Light. In the quiet moments of reflection and in the joyous celebrations of life, may we always strive to embody the love, compassion, and wisdom that St. Teresa of Ávila so eloquently expressed in her life and teachings.
Let this be a day of love, a day where the boundaries between the heavenly and the earthly blend, reminding us of our sacred role as vessels of the Light. On this Shabbat, let us celebrate, consecrate, and commit to being the embodiment of the divine presence, bringing light, love, and healing to the world.
I am sharing a beautiful Poem from the Mary Magdalene Book of Prayers if you would like to bring this into your Ceremonial Shabbat Space today:
The Divine Breath of Shekhinah
Beloved Shekhinah thank you for being Here with me Now and Always.
Thank you for coming down into this world so that all might come to be.
Thank you for molding and shaping me into the vessel that I am, so that your Light may find unique expression in and through me.
Although at times I may feel separate and alone, your infinite presence is a reminder that I can always be in reunion with Alaha through you Here and Now.
Bless me with the patience and discipline to sit in stillness.
I ask that you teach me the cycles of Nature and of Time.
Show me how to create, serve and hold space within this Miracle of life.
I ask that you show me how to appreciate the labor that is required to bring forth creations, just as you have brought forth Humanity.
Be with me and guide me as I conceive a new self within me and birth myself in Spirit.
My Union with you brings the light of Alaha in my Sacred Vessel.
Show me how to be the Divine Lover of Alaha.
As I quiet my mind I can hear the whispers of love between you and Alaha.
And I ask that you awaken my burning desire for union with Oneness.
As this union takes place in my heart, I know that you are mending my fragmented soul and making me whole once more.Fill me with your Beauty and Grace, your Silence and Peace, your Strength and Courage, your Understanding and Acceptance, and your Openness and Receptivity.
I can now see the Miracle you have given me, which is to express your light through me in the world of form.
Beloved Shekhinah, thank you for breathing your Divine Breath unto me.
Amein
Written by Ana Otero
Wishing all of you a Blessed Shabbat Day.
AHAVA,
Ana Otero