Sunday

**Assorted writings from Catholic St Therese of Lisieux  …

Do not imagine that love can be found without suffering, for we carry with us our human nature; and yet, what a source of merit it is!

We who run in the way of love shouldn’t be thinking of sufferings that can take place in the future: it’s a lack of confidence, it’s like meddling in the work of creation.

It is true that Love knows no such word as “impossible,” for it deems “all things possible, all things allowed.”

I love you, Jesus, and bear in mind the words of St. John of the Cross: ‘The least act of pure love is of more value than all the other works put together.’

 

Prayer:  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 7:21)

 

Monday

The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity…

In times of aridity (dryness) when I am incapable of praying, of practicing virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I love Him; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem extinct I would still throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle.

 

Prayer:  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  (Phil 4:13)

 

Tuesday

I know of one means only by which to attain to perfection: LOVE. Let us love, since our heart is made for nothing else. Sometimes I seek another word to express Love, but in this land of exile the word which begins and ends (St. Augustine) is quite incapable of rendering the vibrations of the soul; we must then adhere to this simple and only word: TO LOVE.

But on whom shall our poor heart lavish its love? Who shall be found that is great enough to be the recipient of its treasures? Will a human being know how to comprehend them, and above all will he be able to repay? There exists but one Being capable of comprehending love; it is Jesus; He alone can give us back infinitely more than we shall ever give to him.

 

Prayer:  Glory to Jesus Christ…glory forever!

 

 

Wednesday

On the day of my conversion Charity entered into my heart and with it a yearning to forget self always; thenceforward I was happy.

I feel that when I am charitable it is Jesus alone who acts in me; the more I am united to Him the more do I love all my Sisters.

True Charity consists in bearing with all the defects of our neighbor, in not being surprised at his failings, and in being edified by his least virtues; Charity must not remain shut up in the depths of the heart, for no man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. (Cf. Matthew 5:15). It seems to me that this candle represents the Charity which ought to enlighten and make joyful, not only those who are dearest to me, but all who are in the house.

A word, a kindly smile, will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart.

If heavenly grace and true charity come in, there shall be no envy or narrowness of heart, nor shall self-love keep its hold. For divine charity overcomes all, and dilates all the powers of the soul.

 

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God;  and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from thy presence;  and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (Psalm 51:10-)

 

 

Thursday

Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the “Our Father,” or the “Hail Mary,” and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself.

I take refuge, then, in prayer, and turn to Mary, and our Lord always triumphs.

My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.

We often think we receive graces and are divinely illuminated by means of brilliant candles. But from whence comes their light? From prayers, perhaps, of some humble, hidden soul, whose inward shining is not apparent to human eyes.

In a word, prayer is something noble, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites it to God.

Prayer:    Christ is in our midst – He is and always shall be.

 

 

Friday

For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy.

Frequently, only silence can express my prayer.

Let us not grow tired of prayer: confidence works miracles.

The power of prayer has been understood by all the saints, and especially, perhaps, by those who have illumined the world with the light of Christ’s teaching.

My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.

Our fulcrum is God: our lever, prayer; prayer which burns with love. With that we can lift the world!

 

Prayer:  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  *Romans 8:28

 

Saturday

How often have I thought that I may owe all the graces I’ve received to the prayers of a person who begged them from God for me, and whom I shall know only in heaven.

Jesus works miracles for His dearest friends only after He has tested their faith. He let Lazarus die, even though Martha and Mary sent word that he was sick. But after the trial, what rewards! Lazarus rises from the dead.

It is good to serve God in darkness and trial! We have only this life to live by faith.

It is true I am not always faithful, but I never lose courage. I leave myself in the Arms of Our Lord.

We must abandon the future into the hands of God.

Jesus Christ alone is singularly to be loved, who alone is found good and faithful above all friends.

Jesus may hide himself, but we know He is there.

No harm can come to me since, in whatever happens, I see only the tender hand of Jesus.

Even if the fire of love seemed to have gone out, I would keep on throwing fuel in it and Jesus would take care to light it up again.

 

 

Prayer:   We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee for by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.