E5 | Echoes of Carmel – Ken Hackett – Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) with Margie Kennedy and Peter Bates

Radio Maria Ireland

2nd October, 2024 – Ken and guests Margie Kennedy and Peter Bates discuss Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (known before religious life as Edith Stein). A former student of Edmund Husserl and colleague of Martin Heidegger, turned Carmelite Nun, Saint Teresa is a giant of the Catholic intellectual tradition. They discuss the following topics:

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   1. Faithful Commitment
      Edith’s journey to Catholicism serves as a reminder for all, especially those born into faith, to renew their commitment, not just rely on heritage. Conversion isn’t just about changing religion—it’s about choosing faith every day.
   2. Daily Prayer Practice
      Edith emphasized the necessity of a daily quiet moment with God, especially first thing in the morning. For her, starting the day by offering it to God ensures His presence throughout every challenge.
   3. The Prayer of the Church
      Edith’s essay on the Prayer of the Church remains a profound reflection on the unity of the faithful through Christ. It’s not just about individual prayer, but about being part of Christ’s mystical body, the global Church in constant communion with God.
   4. Jacob’s Ladder: Prayer as a Divine Exchange
      Inspired by her Jewish heritage, Edith viewed prayer as a Jacob’s ladder, connecting heaven and earth. Through prayer, the human spirit ascends to God while His grace descends to us.
   5. The Mass as Transformation
      Edith’s reflections on the Mass beautifully bridge her Jewish roots and Christian faith. She saw the Mass as a transformation of the old into the new: a living union of the earthly and the divine, with Christ’s body and blood fundamentally transforming those who partake.
   6. A Life of Sacrifice for Peace
      Edith’s offering of herself as a sacrifice for peace, pleading with God to avert the rise of evil and war, shows her profound spiritual connection to the suffering of others, placing her own life at the mercy of divine will.
   7. Empathy in Action
      Edith’s concept of empathy is foundational. It’s not just feeling for others, but deeply understanding their experiences and responding to their needs in meaningful ways. It’s how we show Christ’s love in daily life.
   8. Distinction of Empathy and Sympathy
      Edith would remind us that while sympathy offers a comforting word, empathy goes deeper—it’s about entering the world of another, feeling their experience as if it were our own, without losing the perspective of “as if.”
   9. Empathy’s Place in a Digital World
      In our hyper-connected, digital world, Edith’s emphasis on human connection and presence reminds us to practice empathy daily. Engage genuinely with others, be it in person or online, always remembering the human soul behind the screen.
   10. Womanhood and Spirituality
       Edith believed that being a woman is more than gender—it’s a vocation. She argued for the equal, though distinct, roles of men and women, emphasizing how both contribute uniquely to society and the Church’s mission.
   11. Surrender to Divine Will
       Edith’s final moments, her acceptance of martyrdom, was the ultimate surrender to God’s will. Her quiet courage in the face of persecution was a reflection not just of empathy for her people, but of deep spiritual trust and love for God.
   12. A Legacy of Perseverance
       Throughout her life, Edith demonstrated unshakable determination. Her perseverance in faith, philosophy, and ultimately, in the face of death, serves as an enduring legacy of strength and trust in God’s greater plan.

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   This podcast captures Edith’s profound spiritual journey and offers lessons that can resonate deeply with anyone reflecting on their own faith, purpose, and empathy for others.

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