St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a revered Catholic saint known for her 'Little Way,' reflects deeply on prayer's role as the source of goodness. As she nears her death, she emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer in nurturing personal connections with God and others. Conversations delve into her yearning for divine love, the simplicity of prayer, and the necessity of humility in spiritual life. The guests, Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph, offer insights into her transformative teachings, inspiring a continued journey in faith.
St. Thérèse emphasizes that a deep union with God enhances intercessory prayer, serving as a powerful means of grace for others.
Her reflections highlight the transformative power of love, illustrating that returning to God's love restores faith amid human struggles.
Deep dives
The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Union with God is presented as the most effective means of interceding for others, according to St. Therese of Lisieux. Instead of multiplying individual prayers for each person, she emphasizes that simply being drawn to Christ will naturally encompass all those she loves. This simplicity conveys that a deeper relationship with God effortlessly extends grace and love to others, illustrating the interconnectedness of one's faith and the lives of those around. For St. Therese, individuals entrusted to her care become her treasures, reflected in her heartfelt desire to pray for them through her union with Christ.
Boldness in Prayer
St. Therese demonstrates an audacious boldness in her approach to prayer, particularly in her application of Christ's words to her own intentions. She acknowledges her identity as an adopted child of God and claims the power bestowed upon her through sacraments and her relationship with Christ. By embedding Christ's own prayer into her communication with God, she embodies the essence of faith, which entitles every believer to the same blessings and gifts. This emphasis on boldness reinforces the premise that engaging with God intimately allows for a transformative relationship, which extends to others in prayer.
The Simplicity of Love
St. Therese's writings culminate in the profound simplicity of love, evident in her final reflections. She conveys that despite her physical suffering and limitations, her confidence in God remains unwavering, illustrating that divine love transcends human failures and conditions. Therese encourages the notion that returning to God's love, even amid sin and despair, is inherently powerful and restorative. The end of her manuscript resonates with the powerful truth that love, both divine and human, serves as the foundation for faith and spiritual growth, reiterating that it is through love that one truly encounters God.
What does one reflect on in the days leading up to death? In these last pages of Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse is also very near to the day of her death. She reflects on prayer being the source of all good. She writes about intercessory prayer and how the people entrusted to us can be our treasures. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph offer their final insights into the text and the life of St. Thérèse.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.
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