THE MEMORIAL OF THE LITTLE FLOWER: ST THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS. THE LITTLE FLOWER.
"As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
"Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
"And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
"But Jesus answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
"And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
"Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57 - 62)."
Wednesday 1st October 2025 in 26th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Little Flower, St Therese of the Child Jesus, also known as St Therese of Lisieux. (1873 - 1897). French Carmelite Nun.
Pope Leo XIII granted Therese permission to enter Carmel at the age of 15 and she died at 24 in the Convent.
In 1927, Therese was named the co-patron saint of the Mission. Pope John Paul II made Therese a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
St Therese is one of the most beloved saints in the Church. She is a powerful intercessor and her contribution to spirituality can be summarized thus:
#1 Utter simplicity in everything.
#2 Profound trust in Divine Providence.
St Therese you may say was chosen to be St Therese before she was born. At the age of 6, she had a profound faith in the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Blessed Sacrament. Asked one day how she was so sure of this, her response was disarming and profound: Jesus said: "This is My Body. This is My Blood." Since Jesus is God and Almighty, nothing is impossible for Him. Does this not remind us of the Blessed Virgin Mary? To the word that She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, she replied: "Be it done to me according to Your word." No fear. No worry. No doubt. God is God.
Is there a connection between faith and simplicity? Simplicity in thoughts and habits may facilitate the habit of believing. This seems to be the witness of many saints.
"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18: 3).
Be simple like Jesus and Therese. Dare to Believe.
Our Gospel today shows how Jesus handles applications for a spot in the group of His disciples. Each applicant is treated differently. But to each, Jesus says:
You must count carefully the cost of discipleship. How far and how long are you prepared to follow Me?
What will you do when the going becomes tough?
A prudent and faithful disciple must be prepared to follow Me always and everywhere to the End.
“What sort of servant, then, is faithful, wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at his employment. I tell you solemnly, he will place him over everything he owns.” (Matthew 24: 45 – 48)
Faithfulness is key to Discipleship.
Pope St John Paul II writing on faithfulness teaches that: It is good to be faithful for one day, but
better to be faithful for ten years.
It is excellent and blessed to be faithful day after day to the end of Life Journey.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is called the most excellent and faithful disciple of Jesus.
She received the message of salvation from the Archangel Gabriel.
She followed Jesus everywhere in His public ministry learning everything she could.
She walked the Via Dolorosa with her Son to Calvary.
She received the body of her Son from the Cross from the Roman soldiers.
She laid Him in the tomb and witnessed the sealing of the tomb. This is examplary faithfulness. From womb to tomb.
A disciple of Jesus must be prepared to give all.
October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary.
Resolve to learn all you can about the Holy Rosary these 31 days of October and beyond.
A principle of Epistemology teaches that if you want to love someone or something, learn all you can about the person or thing. Saints become saints because they learn the most about Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church, Salvation, etc.
"The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven; she herself has recommended it.
There are two elements of the Holy Rosary: meditation on its mysteries and vocal prayer. The Rosary surely reaches the motherly heart of Mary and moves her to obtain abundant graces for us." (Roman Missal).
"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."
- (Saint Louis Marie de Montfort)
Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.
For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:
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