For this month’s discussion of saints, we begin with St. Thérèse of Lisieux. This is a good choice, because she considered herself “little” and she demonstrated and encouraged our love of God through little acts. It’s helpful to start small when we’re trying to develop or grow in some way. For inspiration from St. Thérèse, be sure to read the chapter we’ve provided from My Life with the Saints.
When was the last time you truly felt that by living your ordinary life you were becoming a saint? When surrounded by a culture in which everyone must become famous, even if through a few humiliating moments on a reality television show, it’s difficult to see our ordinary as sacred. In this society, “little” doesn’t count for much.
But St. Thérèse discovered that “little” was quite good enough for God and for holiness: “I applied myself to practicing little virtues, not having the capability of practicing the great.”
We hardly think of ourselves as saints. But in God’s kingdom, we are indeed saints, because we are constantly being transformed into the people God created us to be:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
—2 Corinthians 3:17–18
Do you dare accept this holy identity? Can you own the fact that you are destined to become more and more a true reflection of God?
Exercise for the week:
As you go through this week, take time to jot down the many tasks you do. Also, try to list the various conversations and other interactions you have with people.
Look over the items on this, and for each one ask yourself:
How does this task or interaction give me the opportunity to express love?
How can I perceive God’s love touching me through this task or interaction?I encourage you to share your thoughts in a comment on the blog.
Then thank God specifically for these opportunities. This simple act of gratitude for what is daily and ordinary is what gradually builds a saintly life.
To post a tribute to a loved one who had died click on the All Souls tab.
To take advantage of special savings on My Life with the Saints by Fr. James Martin, use the promo code “SAINTS09”. Only $12.00 each! (paperback edition only).
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