Something to Ponder
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St. Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower of Jesus) has such great insight into the human spirit. She benefits all of us by her willingness (obedience) to let us into her thoughts and actions in her autobiography.
I'm not sure if you know this, but she had a deep longing to be an Apostle, a priest, a martyr, a missionary and a preacher. She also wanted to be a Doctor of the Church. (Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor in 1997.)
There she was, in her little cell in the cloistered Carmelite monastery in France and she felt a huge pull to just go out and be all of these things. Her dreams were ultimately fulfilled following her death at the monastery at the age of 24.
She is known throughout the world and preaches to us through her life. She was canonized a saint on May 17, 1925.
While St. Thérèse wasn't able to fulfill her earthly longings during her short life, God had a much bigger plan for her.
She concluded, after reflecting on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, that her true vocation was love. She came to understand that love truly is the greatest of all the spiritual gifts.
She set about spreading the fragrance of love on everyone she met, doing little sacrificial deeds. This "little way" of hers identified her as "The Little Flower." It is not uncommon for the scent of a rose to accompany her work to this day.
If you are struggling with what you should be doing in your life, take a page out of the Little Flower's book. Take time to listen to God and discern with him. He gave her clarity from the thought of St. Paul.
As we enter into the highest holy days of the year, let Jesus speak to you from the cross. He shows us exactly what love looks like. It is selfless and sacrificial, and it requires us to voluntarily give up ourselves for the greater good.
Once St. Thérèse came to see that God was leading her to the greatest gift of all, she found peace with that interior tension. It looks to me like this was possible because she exchanged what she thought she was being called to, for what she was actually being called to.
Thankfully, her humble heart followed God. We should strive to do the same.
I hope you have a blessed Triduum.
Pray for peace and an end to war.
Janet Cassidy
Email me at: jmctm2@gmail.com
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I am a Catholic blogger who holds an M.A. in theology from Augustine Institute. I have worked in Catholic ministry as a Catechist, Pastoral Associate, Director of (parish) Adult Formation, Director of RCIA/Religious Education and am a Lay Ecclesial Minister. I am a former radio show host and former columnist for The Catholic Times. I have been married for over 40 years; my husband and I have three adult children whom we homeschooled. I am passionate about sharing God's Word as a speaker and writer, wherever God leads me.
