Saint Therese of the Child Jesus: Family Reflection Video

Yesterday as Father Dave began his homily, he asked us if we were familiar with the expression “the patience of Job”. I think it would be safe to say that the saint we commemorate today, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus had the patience of Job. She was only fifteen years old when she entered the convent. She died at the age of 24 but from 15 to 24 she endured resentment from some of the other members of her community, experienced interior darkness and the onset of tuberculosis.           

Like her counterpart in the Book of Job she too could proclaim that as for me I know my Vindicator lives whom I shall see with my own eyes; my inmost being is consumed with longing. She continues to be an inspiration for many today. Her perseverance in her “Little Way” of confidence and love.

            Her story is the story of countless millions of men and women who inhabit the face of our earth since the day that Jesus first appointed the seventy-two and sent them ahead of him to every town and place he intended to visit. It was inspirational to read how those early followers were asked to embrace a simple life, to go forth to different towns and share their confidence in Jesus and his mission to establish his kingdom on earth. Clearly, they possessed what Therese would come to possess and hopefully what we too would come to possess: to be consumed with a longing for Jesus and be able to say that we know that our Vindicator lives.

            The story of Therese serves as a reminder to millions today that proclaiming Christ does not require us to travel the world. Therese lived in a convent, entered when she was 15 and managed to accomplish great things through her simple way. We too can do this wherever we are planted, in our families, schools, workplaces.

            It is so gratifying to hear of examples of how this continues to be done in so many lives, proof that God is alive and still inviting people to go out ahead of him and make him known loved and served. Our national news programs often end with one of these uplifting stories and you no doubt have your own stories or in fact are the story.

            The young boy who notices his neighbor’s lawn was overgrown and simply decided to cut their grass not knowing that the neighbor was hospitalized and grateful. Or the elderly resident of a nursing home who walked several miles each day to arrive at a crossing where he could simply wave to passing school buses and in return have students, drivers wave back. They showed their appreciation with cards of thanks and he showed that he too had appropriated the message of the “Little Way” that Saint Therese was noted for.

            Recently in leading rosary prayer and offering a meditation on The Ascension I referenced the scripture that said, “why do you stand looking up into heaven”. An angel asked this of people after Jesus was taken up into heaven.

            If the truth be told many of us spend a lot of time waiting for Jesus to create a welcoming kingdom here on earth. But in truth, the call has gone out to all of us like it did to the first seventy-two, to Saint Therese. Jesus is waiting for us to seek the grace to change our hearts and society. We marvel today how Saint Therese was able to do just that through her “Little Way”.

• Father Leo's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)

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