WORLD MISSION MONTH | Following the ‘little way’ of loving and serving God
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (October 1, 2022): JB 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; PS 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130; LK 10:17-24
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
St. Thérèse said, “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.”
Known around the world as the Little Flower, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France, spent her short 24 years on earth in humbly serving her beloved Lord. This fidelity and devotion to God was passed on by Louis and Zelie Martin to their daughters. Indeed, Thérèse’s parents were themselves canonized in 2015, the only married couple declared saints at the same time. Thérèse joined two older sisters who were already nuns at the nearby convent of the Discalced Carmelites when only 15 years old. She cheerfully took on hard tasks and made a point of being kind and helpful to all, especially anyone she found difficult. Thérèse had a longstanding desire to assist missionaries in every way possible; not only praying and offering penances for them, but also keeping up correspondence with several in the mission field. When it became apparent that Thérèse was suffering from tuberculosis, her sister, who was also the Prioress, instructed her to write her autobiography. When it was published after her death in 1898, “The Story of a Soul” was well received around the world. Declared a saint in 1925, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus was named patroness of Missions two years later, and a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks with disciples who have just returned from sharing His message of mercy with others. He prayed: “I give You praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned You have revealed them to the childlike” (Luke 10:21). Thérèse was certainly one of the “childlike,” in the sense that she was one who used each minute of life as a chance to serve God in some little way. This Little Way became the core of her relationship with our Lord and with His people. St. Thérèse said, “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.” Let us willingly, joyfully learn to pick up pins each day; to offer little sacrifices and acts of charity for the sake of drawing more souls to Christ.
Suggested missionary action: As we begin and throughout this World Mission Month, we can say a special prayer to St. Thérèse that she help and care for all men and women – priests, Religious, laypeople – who bring Christ’s message of mercy to people around the world.
For resources for the celebration of World Mission Sunday, visit this website.