Reading and meditation on the Word of God, Tuesday of the 26th week of ordinary time, October 1, 2019; the feast of Saint Teresia of Child of Jesus, virgin and patron of the Mission of the Church. Isaiah 66, 10-14b; Luke 9, 51-56. Voice: brother Bernard “Mikoli” sdb (reading) and father Peter sdb (meditation)
Our meditation today has the theme: Small Actions But Great Results. If the Carmelite nun, Teresa of Child of Jesus, who died in her young age, 24, is seen as a special saint in the Church, one important reason to ponder upon is that she did what are considered small, but the results are great. She actually expressed the teachings of Jesus Christ about Christians way of life like children in order to obtain a place of honor in the kingdom of Heaven.
There are many testimonies that show how Sister Teresa wrote in her diary the basic things and teachings about God’s love, salvation, virtues and Christian spirituality. In spite of these, Teresa was just a simple nun and was always sick. One form of mortification that she did was to pray and offer her sufferings for the mission of the Church, where the missionaries and their works reach all corners of the world. She herself was never a missionary, but through prayer and mortification, she made herself a true missionary. Therefore the Church names her one of the patron saints of the mission of the Church.
When we look at the photos of Saint Teresa of Child of Jesus, there is no big and obvious impression that show certain wonder and greatness. Her face simly shows the impression of a small, simple and ordinary woman in the house. She loved to do small things that were carried out earnestly and faithfully. But after she died, it was discovered that Teresa was actually able to make a great and extraordinary contribution. The writings in her diary do inspire the world about God’s great love for mankind and the world. Her commitment to the mission of the Church really helps the Church in its apostolic works.
Today Saint Teresa teaches us to love God in the way like the children, that is with simplicity in our daily deeds. Christian spirituality, which is a lifestyle of little children, gives priority of our dependence on God and lives in a spirit of gratitude. The scriptures describe how God gives a privilege place for His chosen ones who are small and young. Jesus emphazies in today’s Gospel that those who are small according to human standard, will be the greatest, because God will make them so.
God reminds us to fight the arrogance and selfishness. These vices will become so powerful when people only look for position, power, wealth, and fame. God always has a strategy to use the little and humble ones to humiliate those who consider themselves great, powerfull and perfect.
Let’s pray. In the name of the Father … O Lord Jesus, may through the intecession of Saint Teresa of Child of Jesus, we will be as humble as You want us to be. Glory to the Father … In the name of the Father …