The Gift of Therese

In 'Mary Day By Day' marian meditations for every day, introduction by Rev. Charles G. Fehrenback, C.SS.R. here is a portion of todays reflection:

Live in Mary's heart, love what she loves, and desire what she desires.
                                                                        St. John Eudes

I am just finishing up reading "The Story of A Soul" the most extraordinary autobiography of
St. Therese of Lisieux.

She was in love with Jesus from the moment of her birth! All she ever wanted to do, and to be, in this life was someone praying for priests, praying for all others, giving to the world in her "little way."

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict recommended reading this book this Lent, and it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read!  Please do read this little gem for yourself!

Lenten Meditation

Every morning I receive an email called Gracelines.  They are simple, time-tested reflections to ponder all day long. 
Here is today's:

Jesus:

O Mother dear, didst thou but hear
My plaint of desolation,
Thy tender heart would burst apart
With grief of separation!
I am not stone, yet all alone
I hush My soul's outcrying, --
Alone to tread the wine-press red,
To bear the pain of dying.
My lips are dumb, the night has come;
Ah! Solace I might borrow
Had I but thee to bide with Me
In this wild waste of sorrow.

Mary:
"Gentle moon and start of midnight,
Day's fierce orb, and brooklets fair,
Golden apples born of sunshine,
Precious pearls and jewels rare, --
All things glorious, all things shining,"
Thus the sorrowing Mother spake;
"E'en ye bright, transfigured faces,
Mourn with me for Jesus' sake.
"Sparkle, gleam, and glow no longer:
Only moan and mourn for Him.
Shine not, shine not, weep forever,
Till your thousand eyes are dim;
For the mighty One has fallen,
And my Beautiful is slain;
In the dense wood pierced, my Shepherd, --
Weep ye, weep ye for my pain!
O most oppressed of all oppressed,
Heart of my heart, my all, my Son!
Grief's keenest sword doth pierce my breast:
I die with Thee, my only one!
Alas! The pain is all too great,
Since, living, still I share Thy fate.
"Yes, mine Thou wert to bear and rear
Through life and light, and pain and loss;
And now, ten thousand times more dear,
I yield Thee to the cruel cross!"

Frederick Spee, S. J. (1591-1635) Translated from the German by Mary E. Mannix

I hope your Lent is going well.

Tomorrow Lent begins. Spring is trying to break into the coldness of these winter days. I actually heard birds chirping this morning when I took the dogs out. The sun is so much stronger than it was even last month, and this weekend the clocks go ahead once again, to my disgust. Why are we always hurtling ourselves ahead, when this hour is all we really need?  Why not s-l-o-w down and listen.

"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."  Ste. Therese of Lisieux

Do we notice? Can we see it? Our awareness is oftentimes taken up with the mundane things of this world. Things which have been going on before we were born, and which will continue to go on after we are dead.  How important do we actually think we are?

Now is the time to turn inward. For the next 40 days, we have a chance to know our Lord. And his Mother.

In today's Divine Intimacy it is written

"O my God, My Love, permit me one question:  When the world was languishing in sickness, You sent Your only Son to be its physician . . . and now what means will You use to revive again this world which lies once more in death? "

As winter gives way to spring, as the last of the snows melt under the suns rays and are washed away by nature's rain, let us too, transform our lives. Into something better. Into something worthy.Then when we throw open the windows at long last, we will be renewed. We will be stepping into a new Season.

Let us begin.