Wednesday, August 17 : Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

The spouse of the Canticles says that… she arose to look for her Beloved in the city, but in vain; after having gone out of the city, she found him whom her soul loved! (Sg. 3,1-4). Jesus does not will that we find his adorable presence in repose; He hides Himself… Oh! what a melody for me is this silence of Jesus. He made Himself poor that we might be able to give Him love. He holds out His hand to us like a beggar so that on the radiant day of judgment when He will appear glory, He may have us hear those sweet words: “Come, blessed of my Father, for I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I did not know where to lodge, and you gave me a home; I was in prison, sick, and you helped me,” (Mt 25,34-36). It was Jesus Himself who spoke these words; it is He who wants our love, who begs for it. He places Himself, so to speak, at our mercy; He does not want to take anything unless we give it to Him… Jesus is a hidden treasure, an inestimable good which few find, for it is hidden, and the world loves what sparkles. Ah! if Jesus had willed to show Himself to all souls with His ineffable gifts, no doubt there is not one of them that would have despised Him. However, He does not will that we love Him for His gifts, He Himself must be our reward. To find a hidden thing one must hide oneself; our life must then be a mystery. We must be like Jesus, whose face was hidden,” (Is 53,3)… Jesus loves you with a love so great that, if you to see it, you would be in an ecstasy of happiness… but you do not see it, and you are suffering. Soon, Jesus “will stand up to save all the meek and humble of the earth!” (Ps 76[75], 10).
maronite readings – rosary,team