WEDNESDAY, TWENTY SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Feast of Saint Therese of Lisieux
Is 66:10-14 Ps 131:1-3 Mt 18: 1-5
SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD
We celebrate today the feast of the ‘Little Flower’ – St Therese of Lisieux. Born on January 02, 1873 in France she lost her mother at a young age and later entered the Cloistered Carmel at the age of fifteen. She lived a life of holiness and died at twenty four, offering her life as a ‘victim of love’. She was canonized on May 17, 1927 by Pope Pius XI. The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of her canonization. In this jubilee year, St Therese inspires us to relook on our faith journey with hope as the children of a loving Father.
St Therese is known for her treatise on ‘spiritual childhood’. Her spirituality is inspired by the Word of God. In the Bible, God is revealed as a loving Father. God spoke to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah that He will nurse them, carry them in His arms and comfort them like a mother. God as the Father loves His children, He knows them, He takes care of them. St Therese was captivated by this truth. So, she consciously opted to be a child who fully confides in its father. St Therese’s ‘spiritual childhood’ is based on today’s Gospel. The Jesus’ disciples wanted to know who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God. The question of who is great and who would be at the right and left of the Lord are human desires and questions. They crop up from one’s self or ego that wants to dominate over others. Jesus tells the disciples that they have to become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. One who becomes like a child is the greatest in the eyes of God.
St Therese preferred to become God’s little child. She offered herself to God’s merciful love praying and offering sacrifices for the mission, for the conversion of sinners, for the good of the priests and the Church. Thus, she became a saint, Patroness of the missions and Doctor of the Church. Let us imitate her confidence, and cherish the freedom of the children of God!
Response: Keep my soul in peace at your side, O Lord
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