What a challenge -- to love as He loves! St. Therese knew the difficulty of loving prickly personalities. We all have people in our families and in our lives, who test us in ways that are sometimes maddening! These very people have the capability, depending on how we handle it, of helping us become great saints or sinners – it’s up to us.
St. Therese was wise enough to know just how weak and ‘little’ she was and depended on God to do it for her. She tells us that the closer we get to Jesus, the more we will be able to overcome ourselves and love as He does.
This could mean biting our tongue when a sharp retort wants to burst forth; saying yes to a request when we feel like saying no; pointing out the good in someone when they are being criticized or ridiculed; serving when you want to be served. These are but some of the ways to love as God does, and at times, it is not easy – but the reward is outstanding.
As we spend time in prayer with Jesus, especially before the Blessed Sacrament, we must beg Him to love others in us and through us. We also need to implore Him to change our hearts, give us new vision, guide our thoughts while thinking, and our tongue in speaking, so like Therese, we will be able to love all without distinction.
What a great Saint and Doctor of the Church! St. Therese called her way "The Little Way", but it is really quite a BIG challenge! I love reading your blog Avia Joy, I am able to relate very well to each and every blog in some way or another. We are all on this journey together, thank you for letting us know we are NOT the only one struggling!
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