Love once said to me ‘I know a song, would you like to hear it?’ And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky. After a night of prayer, He changed my life when he sang ‘Enjoy me.’
Saint Teresa of Avila
Enjoy Me
Topic: Joy & Happiness
Just these two words he spoke changed my life: ‘Enjoy me!’ What a burden I thought I was to carry—a crucifix, as did he. Love once said to me ‘I know a song, would you like to hear it?’ And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky. After a night of prayer, He changed my life when he sang ‘Enjoy me.’
Saint Teresa of Ávila, born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582), was an influential Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, and a central figure of the Counter-Reformation. Best known for her deep theological insights, she authored several important works that reflect her devotion to a life of contemplative prayer. Known for her mystical experiences, Teresa embraced the spiritual path as a Carmelite nun, where she found the essence of her vocation. Her understanding of contemplative life through mental prayer has had an enduring impact on Christian spirituality, even transcending the confines of her own religious tradition.
In addition to her spiritual contributions, Saint Teresa is remembered for her significant role in reforming the Carmelite Order of her era. Her reformative efforts were a response to a perceived laxity in her order, focusing on the renewal of commitment to solitude and poverty. Along with Saint John of the Cross, she initiated a movement that resulted in the establishment of the Discalced Carmelites, an order that emphasized austerity and the contemplative life. Notably, this significant institutional development occurred posthumously, with neither Teresa nor John alive when the Carmelite Order ultimately separated into two distinct branches.
Ladinsky, Daniel, editor. "Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from East to West." Penguin Compass, 2002.
Saint Teresa of Avila
Theme: Joy
About St. Teresa of Avila’s Quote [Commentary]
The words “Enjoy Me,” as sung to Saint Teresa of Avila, convey an invitation to a deeply intimate and joyous relationship with the Divine. Far removed from a spirituality rooted in obligation or fear, this simple phrase encourages a radical shift toward experiencing divine companionship as the source of abiding joy. Teresa, in her life and writings, often grapples with weighty spiritual experiences. Yet, the words “Enjoy Me” reveal to her—and to us—a spirituality not just burdened by sorrowful rigor but lifted by joyfulness rooted in God.
Teresa’s account goes further to describe an all-encompassing joy that emanates from “every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky.” This isn’t a private joy but a universal one. The transformation she experiences isn’t confined to her inner spiritual world but resonates throughout her external reality as well. This indicates the permeating power of joy when we heed the call to commune intimately and openly with the Divine. It suggests that this joy is not only a personal treasure but also a cosmic one, a true celebration of life’s essence.
Finally, the imagery of the crucifix stands as a representation of human suffering and the challenges that often accompany a spiritual journey. Yet, Teresa finds that even these burdens can be touched by divine joy. This transformative experience of hearing God say “Enjoy Me” serves as a gentle reminder to each of us. It calls us to realize that our relationship with the Divine doesn’t need to be solely one of hardship or sacrifice. Rather, it can also be a wellspring of true and everlasting joy.
So, in essence, this quote from Teresa of Avila speaks of a spiritual epiphany where the boundaries between the sacred and the joyous dissolve. It invites us to reassess our own relationships with the Divine, urging us to consider whether we make room for joy in our spiritual lives.
“Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from East to West” [From a trusted secondary source]
The book “Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from East to West” is an anthology edited by Daniel Ladinsky. Published in 2002 by Penguin Compass in New York, it features poems centered on divine love, penned by a diverse range of mystics. The contributors include Christian figures like Catherine of Sienna, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross, as well as Sufi and Hindu mystics such as Rumi, Hafiz, and Tukaram. These poetic works—such as this one from Saint Teresa of Avila—challenge preconceptions about God, urging readers to embrace a more authentic understanding that transcends fear and prejudice.
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