St. Teresa of Avila's words and the mountains near Avila:

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas:

We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated.

How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul and my soul draws life from you.

God alone satisfies.

We recognize people through the altar

This picture shows that we are community and how we recognize people "through the altar, " or the altar where the most important things happen.

I found this today from an unknown student, probably drawn five years ago or more, possibly from even earlier. Not only is the artwork beautiful but also the language is powerful.

What might We recognize people through the altar mean?

Could it mean,through the sacrifice of the mass we see our humanity in Christ and then recognize it in the community?

This student (and I taught 8-, 9- and 10-year olds) expressed a deep understanding of how community expresses our deepest selves.

It may have a different meaning too that I would love to know.