In this insightful discussion, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun famed for her 'Little Way' to holiness, reflects on the profound depths of charity as she nears the end of her life. She contemplates the challenges of loving in difficult moments and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in suffering. The conversation dives into how we can be instruments of divine love, stressing that true fulfillment comes from acts of kindness rather than recognition. Ultimately, it reminds us of the perpetual call to love, even amidst life's trials.
St. Thérèse illustrates that true charity requires active participation in relationships, emphasizing sacrificial love and humility in daily life.
She reflects on the transformative power of confrontational love through personal suffering, recognizing it as a catalyst for spiritual growth and holiness.
Deep dives
Therese's Final Reflections on Charity
In the final chapter of her writings, Therese of Lisieux contemplates the essence of charity during a period of intense suffering. She emphasizes the profound understanding of love and the ways in which it manifests through personal trials and the relationships within her community. Therese expresses that true charity cannot merely be an abstract idea but must be actively lived out in daily interactions, requiring sacrificial love and humility. This testament underlines the authenticity of her spiritual journey, showing that her reflections are deeply rooted in the harsh realities she faced, demonstrating the power of love in action.
The Role of Instrumentality in Spiritual Growth
Therese uses the metaphor of a brush and canvas to illustrate God’s work in the lives of individuals, highlighting how people serve as instruments of His grace. She reflects on her role as a formator within her community, recognizing that her actions can have a lasting impact on the spiritual development of others. Through her experiences, she conveys the importance of recognizing those placed in our lives as part of God’s divine plan, inviting us to see our relationships as opportunities for growth and love. This understanding of mutual support and spiritual accountability is a reminder that God orchestrates growth in holiness through our interactions with one another.
Embracing Present Challenges for Holiness
Therese emphasizes that holiness is cultivated through the challenges and realities we face in our daily lives rather than through idealized notions of what life could be like. She argues that it is in confronting our circumstances, relationships, and emotions that we find opportunities for genuine love and transformation. This approach encourages a recognition of God’s presence and active role in our struggles, fostering a sense of trust in His intentions. Ultimately, Therese teaches that by embracing our present conditions and the people around us, we can effectively grow in our faith and become more aligned with God's will.
Love is not always easy. In fact, love can be very hard. In this final chapter of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is drawing near to the end of her life. As she does, she contemplates the mysterious depths of charity. She ponders what it means to love and how Christ loves through us. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss how each of us is called to live charity. They remind us that there is always an opportunity to love.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.
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