Rainbow in Payson, Arizona
The Little Doctor
Over its 2000-year history, the Catholic Church has given the title “Doctor (Teacher) of the Church” to only 36 people, to recognize their significant contributions to theology and/or doctrine. The list includes such greats of the Church as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Jerome, whose voluminous writings continue to educate us and challenge us today. Then there is little St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of only four women designated as a Doctor of the Church. She started school at the age of eight, after being taught at home by her sisters. When she was just 15 years old, she was so determined to enter the Carmelite Convent at Lisieux that she personally petitioned Pope Leo XIII during a trip to Rome with her family. She was granted permission by her bishop to enter the convent after Lent the following year.
Thérèse had no advanced education, and she died of tuberculosis when she was 24, nine years after entering the convent. Her only significant writings consisted of three manuscripts started two-and-a-half years before her death, with no thought of publication. The first, at the request of her Prioress Mother Agnes, who was also her sister Pauline, is a description of her childhood. The second, requested by Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart (another of her sisters), is a description of her “Little Way.” She began the third manuscript only four months before her death at the request of Mother Marie de Conzague, who was the Prioress of the convent at that time. It goes into much more detail about her struggles to overcome her human weaknesses, and the great trial of faith she experienced towards the end of her life.
Now published as “The Story of a Soul,” these three short manuscripts that total less than 250 pages in the edition I use, have been translated into dozens of languages and read by millions of people around the world, leading her to be called the greatest saint of modern times. Many saints and other prominent people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, consider themselves devotees of St. Thérèse. For example, Mother Teresa said that she chose Thérèse as her namesake because of how she did ordinary things with extraordinary love, and this became a defining description of Mother Teresa’s ministry. Thus, it is not surprising that the Little Way and the Spiritual Elevator of St. Thérèse will be important in helping us understand and follow the Simple Path of Mother Teresa.
The Little Way
Thérèse struggled with her weaknesses and imperfections almost to the point of despair. Finally she came to the realization that "it is impossible for me to grow up, so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short and totally new."
The Spiritual Elevator
She continued her search for this little way, saying: "I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. I searched then in the Scriptures for some sign of this elevator, and I read these words coming from the mouth of Eternal Wisdom: 'Whoever is a little one let him come to me.' The elevator which must raise me to heaven is your arms, O Jesus, and for this I have no need to grow up, but rather I have to remain little and become this more and more."
How This Helps Us
Thérèse realized that she was not able to perfect herself, so she abandoned herself to God and focused on continually accepting of the will of God, relying on Him to conform her to Jesus so she could serve in His place.
The basic essence of being a disciple of Christ is to love God, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves as God has made us. Thérèse recognized that she was incapable of the self-sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated by suffering and dying for us, so she put herself in Christ’s hands, trusting His promise that He would perfect her and work through her to accomplish His will even in the smallest and most insignificant issues in her life.
It is reassuring to realize that:
1. God knows we are not able to perfect ourselves.
2. He wants to “complete the good work He has begun in us.”
3. God gave us free will, so He will not force Himself on us.
4. Our primary “work” is to totally surrender ourselves into God's very capable hands every waking moment of our lives, seeking His will for us in everything we do, and doing all He asks of us as He strengthens us and conforms us to His Son Jesus Christ.
5. As long as we do this, God will be working in us to perfect us, and to accomplish His will through us.
6. Whether God calls us to great works or small works, we will be able to lovingly and joyfully accomplish all that God asks of us through the wisdom and strength that He gives us, experiencing a miraculous sense of peace as we follow whatever path God has planned for us.
Is it Really That Simple?
While putting ourselves in God's hands may sound simple, because of our pride and desire to be in control of our lives it is what C. S. Lewis calls “the almost impossible thing.” Fortunately, God has provided us with many examples through those who have gone before us and the prayers they used to give themselves to God at all times and in every situation. The results in their lives and the lives of those they touched make evident the power of following this simple path—a path that begins with silence.
Consider/Discuss:
- What do you think about the "little way"?
- Which of the items on the list above are new to you?
- Which of these make sense to you?
- Are any of them challenging to you?
Scripture Memory Verse
Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25
Let's Pray! - Pledge to Trust/Follow/Serve Christ
This prayer of total surrender to God is a short summary of some of the most important scriptures and Christian concepts to start your day and carry you throughout the day:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, I trust in You;
Thank you for having mercy on me – a sinner.
This is the day you have made Lord, I will rejoice and serve You with thanks and praise;
so speak, Lord, for your friend and brother/sister is listening and seeking to do your will.
Without You I am not worthy; but as you lead me, I will follow,
and as you strengthen me and conform me to you, I will serve.
Blessed St. Joseph, earthly father and protector of Jesus,
pray for me that like you, and Mary, and all the Saints,
I might joyfully surrender every waking moment to God my Father,
until the glorious moment He calls me home to heaven.
Over its 2000-year history, the Catholic Church has given the title “Doctor (Teacher) of the Church” to only 36 people, to recognize their significant contributions to theology and/or doctrine. The list includes such greats of the Church as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Jerome, whose voluminous writings continue to educate us and challenge us today. Then there is little St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of only four women designated as a Doctor of the Church. She started school at the age of eight, after being taught at home by her sisters. When she was just 15 years old, she was so determined to enter the Carmelite Convent at Lisieux that she personally petitioned Pope Leo XIII during a trip to Rome with her family. She was granted permission by her bishop to enter the convent after Lent the following year.
Thérèse had no advanced education, and she died of tuberculosis when she was 24, nine years after entering the convent. Her only significant writings consisted of three manuscripts started two-and-a-half years before her death, with no thought of publication. The first, at the request of her Prioress Mother Agnes, who was also her sister Pauline, is a description of her childhood. The second, requested by Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart (another of her sisters), is a description of her “Little Way.” She began the third manuscript only four months before her death at the request of Mother Marie de Conzague, who was the Prioress of the convent at that time. It goes into much more detail about her struggles to overcome her human weaknesses, and the great trial of faith she experienced towards the end of her life.
Now published as “The Story of a Soul,” these three short manuscripts that total less than 250 pages in the edition I use, have been translated into dozens of languages and read by millions of people around the world, leading her to be called the greatest saint of modern times. Many saints and other prominent people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, consider themselves devotees of St. Thérèse. For example, Mother Teresa said that she chose Thérèse as her namesake because of how she did ordinary things with extraordinary love, and this became a defining description of Mother Teresa’s ministry. Thus, it is not surprising that the Little Way and the Spiritual Elevator of St. Thérèse will be important in helping us understand and follow the Simple Path of Mother Teresa.
The Little Way
Thérèse struggled with her weaknesses and imperfections almost to the point of despair. Finally she came to the realization that "it is impossible for me to grow up, so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short and totally new."
The Spiritual Elevator
She continued her search for this little way, saying: "I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. I searched then in the Scriptures for some sign of this elevator, and I read these words coming from the mouth of Eternal Wisdom: 'Whoever is a little one let him come to me.' The elevator which must raise me to heaven is your arms, O Jesus, and for this I have no need to grow up, but rather I have to remain little and become this more and more."
How This Helps Us
Thérèse realized that she was not able to perfect herself, so she abandoned herself to God and focused on continually accepting of the will of God, relying on Him to conform her to Jesus so she could serve in His place.
The basic essence of being a disciple of Christ is to love God, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves as God has made us. Thérèse recognized that she was incapable of the self-sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated by suffering and dying for us, so she put herself in Christ’s hands, trusting His promise that He would perfect her and work through her to accomplish His will even in the smallest and most insignificant issues in her life.
It is reassuring to realize that:
1. God knows we are not able to perfect ourselves.
2. He wants to “complete the good work He has begun in us.”
3. God gave us free will, so He will not force Himself on us.
4. Our primary “work” is to totally surrender ourselves into God's very capable hands every waking moment of our lives, seeking His will for us in everything we do, and doing all He asks of us as He strengthens us and conforms us to His Son Jesus Christ.
5. As long as we do this, God will be working in us to perfect us, and to accomplish His will through us.
6. Whether God calls us to great works or small works, we will be able to lovingly and joyfully accomplish all that God asks of us through the wisdom and strength that He gives us, experiencing a miraculous sense of peace as we follow whatever path God has planned for us.
Is it Really That Simple?
While putting ourselves in God's hands may sound simple, because of our pride and desire to be in control of our lives it is what C. S. Lewis calls “the almost impossible thing.” Fortunately, God has provided us with many examples through those who have gone before us and the prayers they used to give themselves to God at all times and in every situation. The results in their lives and the lives of those they touched make evident the power of following this simple path—a path that begins with silence.
Consider/Discuss:
- What do you think about the "little way"?
- Which of the items on the list above are new to you?
- Which of these make sense to you?
- Are any of them challenging to you?
Scripture Memory Verse
Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25
Let's Pray! - Pledge to Trust/Follow/Serve Christ
This prayer of total surrender to God is a short summary of some of the most important scriptures and Christian concepts to start your day and carry you throughout the day:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, I trust in You;
Thank you for having mercy on me – a sinner.
This is the day you have made Lord, I will rejoice and serve You with thanks and praise;
so speak, Lord, for your friend and brother/sister is listening and seeking to do your will.
Without You I am not worthy; but as you lead me, I will follow,
and as you strengthen me and conform me to you, I will serve.
Blessed St. Joseph, earthly father and protector of Jesus,
pray for me that like you, and Mary, and all the Saints,
I might joyfully surrender every waking moment to God my Father,
until the glorious moment He calls me home to heaven.