86. On The Importance of Doing the Washing Up.

Dearly Beloved,

I was reminded by the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations around the world of my miss-spent youth. At the age of 20 I undertook to protect a University camera crew on one of the Anti-Vietnam war demonstrations in 1968. Fortunately, despite the violence, my defensive skills were not tested, but at one point we entered a building where the organising committee was sitting. At the time there was talk of revolution. The demonstrations were supported by Trotskyists, Marxist Leninists, Maoists, Anarchists and numerous other groups and doubtless a few individuals who disliked the war for its own sake. The arrival of my camera crew was, understandably, not welcomed. During our brief visit I noticed an enormous pile of washing up, cups and plates, in a sink. Immediately I was reassured for it was clear these people were incapable of doing the washing up so it was unlikely they would be able to manage a revolution.

Theresa of Avila was heavily involved in her bit or revolution, the reform of her Carmelite order back to its contemplative desert origins, whilst she also supported her friend and fellow contemplative, St John of the Cross who was attempting to reform the male portion of the order. This was demanding for both of them. St John was imprisoned, starved and physically mistreated by fellow monks who disagreed with the reform. St Theresa managed her reform quietly but successfully, she expanded her order of nuns whilst managing their pastoral care. She took steps at all times to avoid arousing the interest of the Spanish Inquisition in what she was doing. She was in double danger first because her parents were Conversos, converted Jews which the Church of the time mistrusted, and because she was a contemplative, people whom the Church at the time believed were difficult to control.

At the same time she wrote about her life before and after joining the Carmelites. She points out that the contemplative life often seems to empower and energise faith. She describes her method of meditation and in her early writings she uses the simple analogy of the progressive watering of a garden using increasingly productive methods (by hand, using a water wheel, diverting a stream) and the response of the garden to the gradually increasing flow of water. That is her analogy of the response of the soul to contemplation. She describes extraordinary religious experiences including including states of rapture, especially after Communion.

It is extraordinary that Theresa can describe the contemplative life in the simplest ways. She had reached the enviable state where she was aware of the presence of Christ beside here at all times, whatever she was doing. Yet it is clear that she was at the same time a thoroughly practical person involved in gardening, building, negotiating, fund raising, writing, the care of others and of her community.

Intuitively one knows that when Theresa of Avila was around, even in the most demanding moments of spiritual revolution, the washing up would always be done, even if she had to do it herself.

Peace,

Paul.

Completed 14 June 2020.

Photo: Paul Munton.

Two Marbled White Butterflies Mating on a Vine Leaf.