Adventures in Avila, Spain
When the gentle hunter shot me
and left me in all my weakness,
in the arms of love
my soul fell
and being charged with new life
I have changed in such a way
That My Beloved is for me
and I am for my Beloved
- Teresa of Avila
(translated by Megan Don)
We never know when the arrow of God’s love is going to pierce our hearts, or in what way it will occur. As I wander the streets of Avila and visit the places that are still filled with the bold and strong spirit of Teresa, there are moments where I become completely overtaken by a love so deep that my soul has no choice but to surrender to its powerful transformation. In the moment I do not even know what is occurring. All I know is that my being – the thoughts of my mind, the feelings of my heart, the knowledge of my body – all are thrown into a furnace of alchemical love, where unknown wounds are lovingly burned into a wholeness. And equally, I feel doors of my soul opening, but to what I do not know. I still do not know.
At other times, I am simply overcome by feelings of deep and utter peace. This was especially so at the sepulchre of Teresa in Alba de Tormes and in the chapel of transverberation (where the angel pierced her heart). During these times the world continues to swim around me, people come and go, voices rise and fall, but nothing disturbs the great inner dwelling of this gift of peace. And it does not leave easily. It takes up residence within me and becomes my companion. This truly is a blessing, and a blessing that I long to share with others. Already plans are made for a pilgrimage to Avila in 2010, as I feel that these places exist for us to come and revivify our spirits, to reconnect to the deep power and peace that lives within. It is, if you will, a divine influx of grace that propels us forward on our journey in a way that seems to elude us in our regular daily life.
Pilgrimage is a sacred act and pledge of commitment to our spiritual life – something that all religions subscribe to and something that our modern Western spirituality needs to reintroduce into our practice. Those who came to Assisi with me last year, I know, can attest to the power of undertaking such a journey, and so I invite you all to consider if there is a calling for you. It would be my honor to draw you into the well of the living water that resides here in Avila.
May the arrow of love softly pierce your heart
Megan
