Let's Talk Therese/Ep 1: Can I really be holy?
- Nicole
- Dec 30, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 2, 2020
This is part of an extended series reviewing St Therese of Lisieux' "Way of Trust and Love"
I often think of sainthood as a far-off concept that I may not be able to reach in this lifetime. At a recent retreat, a sister of mine challenged this belief and reminded me that “Sainthood is not far off, you can desire for it”. This intrigued me. Surely, I, a sinner could not hope to reach the heights of sainthood? I, the girl who identified with “Glorious Ruins” and was constantly remoulded by Him. In prayer, I made an audacious statement “Lord, can I really be holy?” The next day, I was browsing my Kindle and chanced upon “The Way of Trust and Love”, a deep insight into St Therese Lisieux’ “Little Way”. Yes, He seemed to be answering my question directly.
St Therese’s “Little Way” was a way of spiritual childhood, a path accessible to everyone. This defied some of the concepts I had of holiness. I had thought that holy men and women were on a pedestal which I would always struggle to get on. Yet, here Therese emphasises that the “Little Way” is open to us all, regardless of how spiritually ready we feel.
We are invited to let ourselves be visited in our littleness, our poverty, our weaknesses, to receive new strength: the strength of trust and faith.
So this is what she meant by being little! Holiness is not measured by grand gestures of faith, but by acknowledging our own brokenness and taking the pieces to glorify Him. The idea of being “visited” was particularly moving, for He will come to us. We may seek Him, but He, the loving Father, will come to our level to meet us and to take us in His arms. He knows that we are like little children unable to ascend the steep flight of stairs and He will come to help us along the way.
God is our Father and we are His children
Imagine, this young girl is now a Doctor of the Church! She foresaw the 2nd Vatican Council which emphasised that
I identify with her feelings of “littleness” and I think a lot of us feel the same. We feel that the “stairway to protection” is too steep for us to climb. We might have started out the year with a list of spiritual resolutions only to find our resolve flagging as time goes by. Yet, Therese reminds us that God is a just God, who will fulfill the promises He has made to us.
God does not inspire us with desires that were unrealisable, so despite my littleness, I can aspire to holiness
Indeed, should we feel a deep desire within us, let us discern further how He would like us to act on it and consider how we may take the “Little Way” there.
Let’s consider 2 questions in closing,
1. What is the little act of courage He is calling you to?
2. What is the little conversion that the Spirit is stirring within you – what door in your heart needs to be opened?
My reflection is adapted based on the following book, I highly recommend you give it a read!
The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guided by St. Therese of Lisieux
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