The poem of St. Teresa of Avila - said to be written in her breviary - is made as an alternative to the hymn of Tuesday's Night Prayer. The poem is well known and also made into a chant by the Taize community in France:
Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing;
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.
The wisdom St. Teresa of Avila expresses in this poem is undisputed. It is a wisdom born from her deep prayer, fruiutful contemplation, and perseverance in doing God's will. St. Teresa of Avila lived in a time when Spain's Catholic Church was very much dominated by a male hierarchy. Even in such a climate were the odds is against her, St. Teresa heard the Lord's call and responded to it by her work to reform Carmel. She led the reformation that directed the Order to its original spirit - poverty, simplicity, prayer and self-denial. She was greatly opposed by many for her efforts. Despite all the opposition she had to experience, St. Teresa continued on, and built the mission entrusted to her by the Lord.
The poem above is a fruit of St. Teresa's spiritual experiences and her work in the reformation of the Carmelite Order. Through wisdom, she learned (as all those who seek God learn also), that ultimately, only God is what is important above all others. Possessing God in one's soul is the one thing necessary. It directs all lives and efforts in the pursuit of His holy will.
God's presence in one's mind and heart will create a peace which nothing can disturb, nor frighten. It produces an equanimity born of wisdom. When wisdom reveals that all things are passing in relation to One who is Eternal, the spiritual discipline to patiently seek God's will, and persevere in it comes naturally. For faith and confidence in God's Divine Providence is all that was, is, and ever shall be needed.
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