Therese to Celine...
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Beloved little sister, let us never seek what appears to be great in the eyes of creatures... The only thing that is not envied is the last place; it is only there in that last place where one finds no vanity or spiritual affliction.
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However, 'the way of man is not for him to decide', and at times we catch ourselves desiring things that glitter. Then let us humbly rank ourselves among the imperfect and esteem ourselves little souls whom the good God sustains at each moment. As soon as he sees us convinced of our nothingness, he extends his hand to us. - From: Celine: Sister and Witness to St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
Oh, yes.
ReplyDeleteI do try to live this out...I was taught by dear St. Therese so young in life...how I have faltered and betrayed this most important teaching.
Sometimes people think I'm being overly pious or "self-hating"...oh, no..
I know what horrid pride and evil intents dwell within my heart; and I know that without God's grace I would be destined for hell...wanting the first place, only to be consigned to everlasting torment. Jesus, mercy!
'The only thing that is not envied is the last place; it is only there in that last place where one finds no vanity or spiritual affliction.'
ReplyDeleteWow!
Father - me too - you can't imagine. Well, maybe you can.
ReplyDeleteShadow - isn't this consoling.
For your 'ragged', Lord:
ReplyDeleteFrom Fr. Pat’s Humble Piety Blog: The Ragged Monk:
But what happened to Gajowniczek - the man Father Kolbe saved?
He died on March 13, 1995, at Brzeg in Poland, 95 years old - and 53 years after Kolbe had saved him.
'I could only thank him with my eyes. I was stunned and could hardly grasp what was going on. The immensity of it: I, the condemned, am to live and someone else willingly and voluntarily offers his life for me - a stranger. Is this some dream?
was put back into my place without having had time to say anything to Maximilian Kolbe. I was saved. And I owe to him the fact that I could tell you all this. The news quickly spread all round the camp. It was the first and the last time that such an incident happened in the whole history of Auschwitz.
….But he was never to forget the ragged monk.
marie therese: wow.
ReplyDeleteterry, it's hard for me to want that last place. so full of myself. how do you get to that point of asking for it and meaning it?
Doughboy: terry, it's hard for me to want that last place. so full of myself. how do you get to that point of asking for it and meaning it?
ReplyDeleteHow do we get there, ask for it, mean it, and do so in total humility without any thought of martyrdom or reward, but just because we are so in love with the Lord that we are on fire with Holy Spirit?
Sigh.
Marie Therese, Thanks for commemorating Fr. Max today - I wanted to and did not hve the time.
ReplyDeleteDB - Another saint said, "No one can take the last place from our Lord." As the Imitation says, "Seek Jesus and doubtless you will find him."
We have three news items of scandalous nature in the RC Diocese here in this part of the world - all on the same day. The concerned clergy (not necessarily perpetrators) are now in their last place - ministry suspended - despised by most.
ReplyDeleteScandal of the last place -- but sometimes it is scandals that would send you to the last place.
One of our brothers who has left religious life to get married said now that he is on his two feet, supporting a family, he is really living out poverty, just when his vows have been dispensed.
Br William, OFM: prayers and reparation from our little monastery here;
ReplyDeletethe rest: The struggles of the "heart on fire"...to be absolutely despised, humiliated and cast aside in imitation of our Lord; a veritable grace...a lived martyrdom, which can last decades...to love Jesus abandoned, despised, and tortured; the call of the "Jesus=Host" vocation...where, we have learned, unfortunately, through media reports, continues...those who despise His Most Awesome Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, steal It, and then proceed to violate the Love of Jesus-Host to the most unimaginable despicable horrendous acts of defilement...
Satan is loose and is going about his business, folks...
I'm just absolutely unable to record the sentiments I experience; we must just pray, do reparation and tell Jesus we love Him...over and over.
One way of thinking of becoming "least", is becoming "little", as in St Therese's Little Way. And I'mnot talkingabout being a doormat, but the Good Lord puts plenty of opportunities before us each day. Once thing that I've really been working on is doing the mundane day-to-day chore and trying not to grumble. Or making the coffee at work for the umpteenth time (some days it seems like whenever I go for a cup both pots are empty). another challenge is trying to be a more courteous driver even when soneonepractically takes the nose of my car off cutting me off.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff for morning and evening Examination of Conscious. And even if you overlook an opportunity there's plenty more where that one comes from.n We whine and groumble far too much, myself included, and getting a rein on that does much good.
Sara
Sara: great points for reflection.
ReplyDeleteIn our community, just making sure there is enough butter for the next one, making sure there is bread for breakfast, doing up the dishes without being asked...sweeping up...just being thoughtful of another...these are all points for charity and love;
it's the little things that count; really.
Sara: great points for reflection.
ReplyDeleteIn our community, just making sure there is enough butter for the next one, making sure there is bread for breakfast, doing up the dishes without being asked...sweeping up...just being thoughtful of another...these are all points for charity and love;
it's the little things that count; really.