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St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross on THE BEATITUDES
Apart from the doctrine of the cross and the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist, the core of the teaching of Christ on what it means to live a Christian life is contained in the Sermon on the Mount. At the very center of the Sermon on the Mount are the Beatitudes. The most complete and profound exposition of the spiritual life and all its dynamics of alternating consolations and purgations leading to perfection of the human soul are contained in the writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Both are Doctors of the Church and members of the Discalced Carmelite Order as it existed in the sixteenth century. They are Doctors of the Church because what they taught about the spiritual life is applicable to all Christians. Therefore, we would expect to find a connection to the Beatitudes in their spiritual doctrine if their doctrine is to be accepted as authentic Christian teaching. This book brings together the spiritual doctrine of these two Carmelite saints and the Beatitudes taught by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, demonstrating the universality of both teachings and their connection to each other.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2010
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About the author
Thomas M. Reid
6 books1 followerThomas M. Reid OCDS is a Secular Discalced Carmelite of 32 years. He is the former Formation Director and later President of the 60 members of the Carmelite communited named Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which meets at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan.
Thomas has made a study of the works of St. John of the Cross and his spiritual doctrine for over 35 years. He has lectured on St. John's spiritual doctrine at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit and has written extensively on St. John's spiritual doctrine.
Thomas has made a study of the works of St. John of the Cross and his spiritual doctrine for over 35 years. He has lectured on St. John's spiritual doctrine at several parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit and has written extensively on St. John's spiritual doctrine.
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November 11, 2025
One of the most spiritually fruitful books I've ever read.
Mr. Reid has a repeating pattern in which he examines each Beatitude within the writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John. Each chapter follows the same pattern:
1. First, he defines the beatitude, splitting it into two parts. a. "Blessed are _____," b. "for they shall ____." He defines the first half (what does it mean to be poor in spirit? what does it mean to be meek? who are those who mourn?), considering each from a * spiritual perspective, * not a physical one - we're talking about spiritual mourning, not physical mourning. Next, he defines the result of embodiment of the Beatitude (what is the kingdom of God? what does it mean to possess the earth? what does it mean that they shall be comforted?) Again, none of these are earthly realities, but dispositions of the * soul, * which are ultimately going to be rewarded in heaven, not here on earth.
2. Next, he examines each beatitude within the writings of St. Teresa, first in the Way of Perfection and then in the Interior Castle. He beautifully aligns growth in the Beatitude with growth in the spiritual life and union with God, showing what each Beatitude looks like in each subsequent dwelling place of the castle, until full union with God is achieved.
3. Finally, he examines the Beatitudes in the writings of St. John of the Cross, beginning with the Ascent of Mt. Carmel, then Dark Night, then Spiritual Canticle, and finally, The Living Flame of Love.
So, each chapter follows this same pattern:
-> Define the Beatitude.
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Way of Perfection
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Interior Castle
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Ascent of Mt. Carmel
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Dark Night of the Soul
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Spiritual Canticle
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Living Flame of Love
Not only is this an excellent understanding of the Beatitudes, but it is truly one of THE BEST explanations of the stages and phases of spiritual growth that I have ever heard.
One "fault" of the book may be that there is a lot of repetition. For example, he examines each Beatitude in the First Dwelling of the Interior Castle, then the 2nd Dwelling, then the 3rd Dwelling... and in the next chapter, he examines the next Beatitude in the 1st Dwelling, and the 2nd, and the 3rd... we are continually being brought back to the same source material, but looking at different themes in the writing. As a result, there is quite a bit of overlap. I personally loved the repetition.
Mr. Reid has a repeating pattern in which he examines each Beatitude within the writings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John. Each chapter follows the same pattern:
1. First, he defines the beatitude, splitting it into two parts. a. "Blessed are _____," b. "for they shall ____." He defines the first half (what does it mean to be poor in spirit? what does it mean to be meek? who are those who mourn?), considering each from a * spiritual perspective, * not a physical one - we're talking about spiritual mourning, not physical mourning. Next, he defines the result of embodiment of the Beatitude (what is the kingdom of God? what does it mean to possess the earth? what does it mean that they shall be comforted?) Again, none of these are earthly realities, but dispositions of the * soul, * which are ultimately going to be rewarded in heaven, not here on earth.
2. Next, he examines each beatitude within the writings of St. Teresa, first in the Way of Perfection and then in the Interior Castle. He beautifully aligns growth in the Beatitude with growth in the spiritual life and union with God, showing what each Beatitude looks like in each subsequent dwelling place of the castle, until full union with God is achieved.
3. Finally, he examines the Beatitudes in the writings of St. John of the Cross, beginning with the Ascent of Mt. Carmel, then Dark Night, then Spiritual Canticle, and finally, The Living Flame of Love.
So, each chapter follows this same pattern:
-> Define the Beatitude.
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Way of Perfection
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Interior Castle
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Ascent of Mt. Carmel
-> Look at the Beatitude in the Dark Night of the Soul
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Spiritual Canticle
-> Look at the Beatitude in The Living Flame of Love
Not only is this an excellent understanding of the Beatitudes, but it is truly one of THE BEST explanations of the stages and phases of spiritual growth that I have ever heard.
One "fault" of the book may be that there is a lot of repetition. For example, he examines each Beatitude in the First Dwelling of the Interior Castle, then the 2nd Dwelling, then the 3rd Dwelling... and in the next chapter, he examines the next Beatitude in the 1st Dwelling, and the 2nd, and the 3rd... we are continually being brought back to the same source material, but looking at different themes in the writing. As a result, there is quite a bit of overlap. I personally loved the repetition.
Displaying 1 of 1 review