If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart.
Psalm 95:2 (Gospel Acclamation)
St. Therese of the Child Jesus was a saint I could identify with as a child--only later did the depth of her spirituality become clear to me.
I'll focus more on her life than on the Mass readings.
The liturgy does give us some clues:
Gospel Acclamation: Ps. 95 "If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart." This is a favorite of Benedictines, & surely of Therese, too. If we Listen we can put the Word into action.
Communion Antiphon: Mt. 18:3 "become like children"
Prayer over the Gifts: "May our dutiful service find favor in God's sight" Therese died in 1897 at age 24, was canonized in 1925, and in 1997 declared a Doctor of the Church. Remarkable!
In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Therese noted her "little way" where daily actions can all be steps along the path to holiness if embraced with love--so washing dishes, cleaning, listening to a friend, giving time, encouragement, thanks or just being grateful for the ordinary, can lead to the extraordinary ie. understanding that God is WIT us (With us, In us, & working Through us)
The little way of Therese is a way of simplicity & unceasing prayer where all of life is an opening to prayer/abandonment to God with childlike surrender.
This little way is something we can all embrace. Therese said her vocation was love & her ministry was to smile. You can follow the little way--it leads to the Greatest Presence of God.
Bloom & grow like Therese, the Little Flower,-- do the simple tasks with love. Be Christ to all others in childlike surrender & don't forget to smile ??
How will you (or did you) mindfully follow the "Little Way" today? How did it help if you smiled?
Loving God, help us celebrate the sacred in the here/now, like St. Therese.
Help us follow her 'little way' so our all daily actions are done for & in Your love.
May the Kingdom come through us. Amen.
Today's Reflection is by:
Sister Mary David Hydro
Did you know...
Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB, is a Benedictine Sister of Florida. A teacher at heart, she feeds "hungers" of God's people through Retreats & Spiritual Direction; she is Oblate Director and has involvements in Peace and Justice ministries.
