SUCKLED FROM HER CONSOLING BREASTS

PRAYER MOMENT                      

Wednesday 1 October 2014, S Thérèse of Lisieux.

SUCKLED FROM HER CONSOLING BREASTS

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “Rejoice, Jerusalem, be glad for her, all you who love her! … That you may be suckled, filled, from her consoling breasts.” (Is 66:10-14)

Reflection. Within a few decades of her death at 24 Thérèse of Lisieux, was revered throughout the Catholic world. She manifested the meaning of what Jesus said when he spoke of ‘becoming like little children.’ But perhaps she was misunderstood. Many quickly thought her ‘little way’ was an easy way. It sounded so simple and cosy. It is true that as a growing girl she felt close to God as if there was only a curtain between her and the Lord. But later she was to say that this curtain had become a solid wall. She experience physical suffering from her illness but she also suffered mental anguish as she wrestled with dryness and desolation. So the words of Isaiah which the church uses for her feast today have to be read as nourishing a person who struggled a great deal in her short life. She appeared to be an icon of charming simplicity, one who went uncomplicatedly straight o God in her youth. But she struggled to attain her goal.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of Thérèse to your Church. May we be inspired by her little way to set our hearts on you and your reign. Amen..  

David Harold-Barry SJ