October 1, 2014

Therese

October 1, 2014:  St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor

Music
Look
  • 'Earth' tie:  "God shakes the earth out of its place" (1st reading)
  • 'Star' tie pin:  He seals up the stars and made the constellations. (1st reading)
  • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  "Should he come near, I don't see him" (1st reading); "No one who looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom." (gospel)
  • 'Phone' tie bar:  "Daily I call upon you, Lord" (psalm)
  • 'Bird' tie pin:  "Birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (gospel)
  • Dark tie and suspenders:  Job's dark story (1st reading)
  • White shirt:  color of St. Thérèse memorial
  • Pray for Synod on the Family:  Pray for the Synod starting Sunday at which some 150 bishops will for two weeks discuss pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization. 
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit:  The Spirit bestows charisms, rich and varied graces for the community's benefit, granted to individuals called to share them generously for the good of all.  May we recognize with gratitude this great outpouring which enables the Church to persevere in faith, grow in grace, and be a more credible sign and witness of God’s love.  May each of us consider the special gifts we have received, and how we choose to use them to advance the Church’s unity, life, and mission.
Read

  • Jb 9:1-12, 14-16  Job:  How can a man be justified before God?  God is wise and mighty; he made the stars and does marvelous things.  How could I argue with him, even if I were right?  If he answered me, I couldn't believe he'd hearken to my words.
    Wordle: Readings 10-1-14
  • Ps 88:10bc-15  "Let my prayer come before you, Lord."  Why do you reject me; why hide your face?
  • Lk 9:57-62  To Jesus:  “I'll follow you wherever you go.” / “Foxes have dens and birds nests, but the Son has nowhere to rest his head.” / “Let me go bury my father first.” / “Let the dead bury their dead; go proclaim the Kingdom.” / “First let me say farewell to my family.” / “No one who looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom.”
St. Thérèse
    Thérèse at 13
  • Universalis:  St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin) became Carmelite nun at 15, wrote memoirs under obedience, died of TB at 24; see acclaimed biography by Bishop Guy Gaucher.  Thérèse was weak and vulnerable but not discouraged, hearing from St John of the Cross that God won't inspire desires that can't be fulfilled.  Her “little way” means letting Jesus' love wash away our sins and imperfections.  Seize daily opportunities of grace and advance to heaven in tiny steps. Weakness is no excuse for mediocrity.
    Reflect
      • Creighton:  Job after losing everything still understands God is the giver of all. / How committed am I to following Christ?
      • One Bread One Body:  Being a disciple of Jesus is radical, total, unconditional, and sacrificial.
      • Passionist:  Thérèse, patron of missions, had a profound sense of God's love for her and was filled with the awe of God's majesty that embraced the universe.  She desired to be a missionary of God's love to the world through her life of prayer.  Her "little way" emphasized that even life's humble, ordinary tasks, done out of love, can please God. / Job's friend Bildad urged him to ask God's forgiveness since his calamities must be a result of some evil he did, but Job knew even the innocent suffer and affirmed his respect for God's power. / Jesus told would-be disciples that commitment to the gospel must be first.  St. Thérèse embodied that commitment; she showed fidelity in everyday things can lead us to the Kingdom.
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