Tuesday, September 21 : Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Jesus…! How great is your humility, O divine King of Glory, in submitting yourself to all your priests without distinguishing between those who love you and those who, alas!, are lukewarm or cold in your service. You come down from heaven at their call; they can make the hour of the holy sacrifice earlier or later, but you are always ready. O my Beloved, how meek and humble of heart (Mt 11,29) you seem to me beneath the veil of the little, white host. You could not have humbled yourself more to teach me humility; in the same way, in response to your love, I want to desire that my sisters should always set me in the lowest place and to be able to convince myself that this place is truly mine… I know, O my God, that you cast down the proud soul but give an eternity of glory to those who humble themselves. I want, then, to set myself in the lowest place, sharing your humiliation so as to “have an inheritance with you” (Jn 13,8) in the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, Lord, you know my weakness. Each morning I take up my resolution to practice humility and, by evening, I realise I have still committed many failings of pride. Seeing this, I am tempted to discouragement. However, as I well know, discouragement is also an act of pride! And so, O my God, what I want to do is to base all my hope on you alone. You can do all things, so be pleased to bring to birth in my soul the virtue I am looking for. And to obtain this grace from your infinite mercy, I will say repeatedly: “O Jesus, meek and humble of heart: make my heart gentle and humble as yours!”

maronite readings – rosary,team