St. Therese
believed that the people of her time lived in too great fear of Gods judgment.
The fear was stifling and did not allow people to experience the freedom of the
children of God. St. Therese knew from her life that God is merciful love; many
scripture passages in the Old and New Testaments bore out that truth. She loved
the maternal images for God in the Old Testament and the love of God for us in
Jesus Christ. In fact, St. Therese once wrote that she could not understand how
anyone could be afraid of a God who became a child. She also knew that she
would never be perfect. Therefore, she went to God as a child approaches a
parent with open arms and a profound trust.
St. Therese
translated "the little way" in terms of a commitment to the tasks and
to the people we meet in our everyday lives. She took her assignments in the
convent of Lisieux as ways of manifesting her love for God and for others. She
worked as a sacristan by taking care of the altar and the chapel; she served in
the refectory and in the laundry room; she wrote plays for the entertainment of
the community. Above all, she tried to show a love for all the nuns in the
community. She played no favorites; she gave of herself even to the difficult
members. Her life sounds so routine and ordinary, but it was steeped in a
loving commitment that knew no breakdown. It is called a little way precisely
by being simple, direct, yet calling for amazing fortitude and commitment.
In living
out her life of faith she sensed that everything that she was able to
accomplish came from a generous love of God in her life. She was convinced that
at the end of her life she would go to God with empty hands. Why? Because all
was accomplished in union with God.
Catholics
and other Christians have been attracted to St. Thereses style. Her little way
seems to put holiness of life within the reach of ordinary people. Live out
your days with confidence in Gods love for you. Recognize that each day is a
gift in which your life can make a difference by the way you choose to live it.
Put hope in a future in which god will be all and love will consume your
spirit. Choose life, not the darkness of pettiness and greed. St. Therese knew
the difference love makes by allowing love to be the statement she made each
day of her life.
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