SIMPLIFY MY LIFE
Our
heavenly Father loves the ordinary!
Today is the Feast of
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. She is one of the most popular saints of
modern times. Blessed Pope John Paul II even declared her to be a Doctor of the
Church. What makes all this rather amazing is that she died at the age of twenty-four
from tuberculosis, and while she was alive her life was about living in an
ordinary and simple way.
It's a gift to be
simple! In yesterday's Gospel, we heard the question: "Who is the greatest
in the Kingdom of heaven?" Jesus answers the question by making reference
to a little child. His point is that the greatest in the Kingdom is someone
who, while on earth, appears among the lowliest on the social scale. That's St.
Therese of Lisieux! Luke's Gospel and the life of St. Therese are both about the
"little way" as they stress the importance of daily self-offering.
We can think of ways
that we are able to give of ourselves, even in ways that might seem to be of
little value. For example, sharing a smile and a friendly word for those who
are having a difficult time; taking a less elegant task around the house or
work place; being patient with others; restraining our tongue when we know so
well that we have the only right answer; or maybe someone just needs a hug
today! Our life becomes our "little way"; a way of self-giving and a
way of sharing the gifts that have been given to us!
Like most prayers of
praise, Jesus' words included naming the things for which He was lauding God.
"Although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned You
have revealed them to the childlike." Receiving Jesus' message is simple,
so you have to be able to see simply to get it! The Little Flower knew this!
"Jesus," she prayed, "help me to simplify my life by learning
what You want me to be - and becoming that person."
Our heavenly Father
loves the ordinary!