Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today all around the world in our Catholic churches during Holy Mass, we gather to hear God's word and receive him in the Eucharist as a community of believers while at the same time celebrating and reflecting on the life and legacy of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, a remarkable saint whose simplicity and deep love for God continue to inspire each of us on our spiritual journeys. As we reflect on her life in connection with the readings we just heard, we find a striking interplay between suffering, rejection, and the transformative love that God calls us to embody.
In the reading from the Book of Job, we encounter a man who, in profound despair, questions the very nature of life itself. Job’s lament resonates with those moments when we feel overwhelmed by suffering and darkness. He questions why he was ever born, lamenting the hopeless state of the world around him. He longs for peace, a respite from the trials of his existence, reflecting the deep anguish of the human spirit when faced with suffering.
Saint Thérèse faced her own sufferings throughout her life, not only in her physical malady and early death but in the spiritual trials that shaped her. As a child, she endured the loss of her mother, which left an indelible void in her heart. In the spirit of Job, her suffering could have led her to despair, yet she chose to respond with unwavering trust in God’s love. Rather than cursing her existence, she embraced the “little way”—a path of profound humility and simplicity. Thérèse wrote, “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” Thus, in her pain, she found purpose.
In our Gospel from Luke, we hear of Jesus resolutely heading to Jerusalem, knowing the sufferings that await Him. When faced with rejection in a Samaritan village, the disciples, fueled by indignation, ask to call down fire on those who refuse to welcome Him. Yet, Jesus rebukes them and simply moves on to another village. Here, we see our call from God towards compassion over condemnation, to love over anger.
It is a reminder that we too can face rejection and hostility, but like Jesus, we are called to respond with grace and love. Saint Thérèse exemplified this grace in the face of adversity. Throughout her life, she displayed a radical love for others. In the convent, when faced with challenges from her fellow sisters, she chose patience and understanding over bitterness. She recognized that every act of love, no matter how small, could be a fragrant offering to God. In her ‘little way,’ she embodied the essence of Jesus’ teaching—choosing love and forgiveness over hostility and harshness.
As we reflect on Thérèse's journey, we are reminded of her famous quote, “The world's greatness is to love.” In the eyes of the world, her life may have seemed ordinary; yet, she reminds us that every small act done with great love holds immense value in God’s sight. Each moment in our daily lives presents us with opportunities to love, to serve, and to build up the Kingdom of God not with marvellous feats, but with the every day kindnesses which need to accompany our interactions with others, especially those who give us a hard time. This is very reminiscent of Saint Francis’ idea of perfect joy. Remaining humble in the face of rejection or persecution. This was the true friar minor in his eyes.
So, my dear friends, let us take inspiration from Saint Thérèse. When faced with trials and sadness like Job, let us not despair but seek to develop the trust that Thérèse exemplified. And when we encounter rejection or disdain in our own lives, let us remember the example of Christ, who chose to move onward with love rather than condemnation. Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
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