If you do not fulfill your purpose—who will?
Message from Saint Teresa Of Ávila To The Little Apostle on 04/03/25
ST. TERESA OF ÁVILA:
Dear followers of Christ,
I am Teresa. Jesus has sent me with the message that He will make things easier as you rely on Him. You are never alone; cherish the kindness and love that surround you. Heaven is with you—the holy angels and we, the saints—remember that all who now rejoice in Heaven were once engaged in this spiritual battle on earth. know that God is taking care of you—even if at times His workings remain unseen.
The path to holiness can sometimes feel lonely, and the enemy may try to discourage you just as he tried to discourage me many times while I lived on earth. It is not easy, but do not lose heart. Keep your focus on Heaven, beloved ones. Trust in God and hold fast to your faith until the very end.
Do not allow the evil one to distress your hearts. You still have much to do for the Kingdom as long as there is a breath in you. God has a plan for each one of you—a good plan that will satisfy you and that only you can fulfill by living in the fullness of His light.
If you do not fulfill your purpose to be holy—the calling imprinted in your souls as children of God—who will? Holiness is for you. Jesus wants to use your life, dear ones, to testify that He is the Way, the Life, and the Truth—He is the Living Word made flesh.
Become the faithful soldiers of the Lord, persevering in prayer and good works. Pray and reflect on His holy teachings so that you may learn to avoid the snares of the devil.
Trust, dear beloved.
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Theological Documentary: If you do not fulfill your purpose—who will?
Introduction:
St. Teresa of Ávila’s spiritual teachings on trust in God’s providence and the path to holiness continue to resonate with believers worldwide. In her message, her words remind us that holiness is possible for everyone who places their trust in God’s loving care. This documentary explores her words through the lens of Catholic theology, referencing Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Church doctrine. The Church teaches that this perseverance leads to sanctity. Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium proclaims, “All the faithful of Christ are invited to strive for the holiness and perfection of their own proper state.” Holiness is not reserved for the few; it is the sacred task of every Christian. St. Teresa’s words remind us that we have a God-given mission to fulfill, and that no one else can carry out the unique purpose entrusted to our souls.
Biblical References:
Jesus assured His disciples, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). St. Teresa echoes this truth, reminding us that we are never alone. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 302) also reinforces that God’s providence guides all creation. Even when His workings remain hidden, they are never absent.
John 14:6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 6:25-27: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."
Ephesians 6:10-12: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."Council Documents:
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 302: “Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created ‘in a state of journeying’ (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it. We call ‘divine providence’ the dispositions by which God guides His creation toward this perfection.”
Laudato Si’ (Pope Francis, 2015): “Creation is of the order of love. God’s love is the fundamental moving force in all created things.”
Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Vatican II): “The faithful, therefore, must seek and engage in a holy life with all their strength. They must enter into that perfection of charity by which the whole being is grounded in the love of God.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
CCC 302: “Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created ‘in a state of journeying’ (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it. We call ‘divine providence’ the dispositions by which God guides His creation toward this perfection.”
CCC 303: “The witness of Scripture is unanimous that the solicitude of divine providence is concrete and immediate; God cares for all, from the least things to the great events of the world and its history.”
CCC 305: “Jesus asks for childlike abandonment to the providence of our heavenly Father who takes care of His children's smallest needs: ‘Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.’”
