DAILY MEDITATION (THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1)

MEDITATION OF THE DAY

Praying for the Abundant Harvest

Jesus, I cannot fathom the depths of my request; I would be afraid to find myself overwhelmed under the weight of my bold desires. My excuse is that I am a child, and children do not reflect on the meaning of their words; however, their parents, once they are placed upon a throne and possess immense treasures, do not hesitate to satisfy the desires of the little ones whom they love as much as they love themselves. To please them they do foolish things, even going to the extent of becoming weak for them. Well, I am the child of the Church and the Church is a Queen since she is your Spouse, O divine King of kings.

The heart of a child does not seek riches and glory (even the glory of heaven). She understands that this glory belongs by right to her brothers, the angels and saints. Her own glory will be the reflected glory which shines on her Mother’s forehead. What this child asks for is Love. She knows only one thing: to love you, O Jesus. Astounding works are forbidden to her; she cannot preach the Gospel, shed her blood; but what does it matter since her brothers work in her stead and she, a little child, stays very close to the throne of the King and Queen. She loves in her brothers’ place while they do the fighting. But how will she prove her love since love is proved by works? Well, the little child will strew flowers, she will perfume the royal throne with their sweet scents, and she will sing in her silvery tones the canticle of Love.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux († 1897) was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997. [From Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Third Edition, John Clarke, o.c.d., Tr. © 1996, ICS Publications, Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, DC. www.icspublications.org. Used with permission.]