The remembrance of my weakness is so constantly present to me that there is no room for vanity. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
Tag Archives: Weakness
What an Illusion!
What an illusion! … We wish never to fall? Well, what difference does it make, O Lord, if I fall at every instant? It will make me realize my weakness, and I shall derive great profit from it. You see what I am capable of, O my God, and so You will be obliged to …
Even in Tempering the Body, Use Moderation
Weakness of the body also breaks the powers of the soul and makes the talent of the mind to grow feeble; nor can it accomplish anything good by its weakness. Enough of this excess! For whatever is done without moderation is salutary, but whatever is done immoderately is dangerous and turns to the opposite. It …
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Notwithstanding My Littleness
Notwithstanding my littleness, I dare to gaze upon the Sun of Love. I am filled with the hope that one day You will swoop down upon me and, bearing me away to that Source of all Love, you will plunge me at last into its blowing abyss. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the …
As Often and as Long as Possible
The Lord is present in the tabernacle in his divinity and in his humanity. He is not present for his own sake but for ours: it is his delight to be with the “children of men” [Prov 8:31]. He knows, too, that, being what we are, we need his personal nearness. In consequence, every thoughtful …
This Will Illumine All Our Nights
When we are broken and the reasons for this state of affairs do not even appear to us, we must take our heart, in each of its poor, little pieces, to the God of Love. It is not necessary to say anything when we cannot say anything. We just can go. And when we begin …
Confidence through Weakness
So now, since you want to belong entirely to God, why should you be afraid of your weakness – on which, in any case, you shouldn’t be relying. Saint Francis de Sales
Holiness’ Disposition
Holiness does not consist in this or that practice; it consists in a disposition of heart which makes us humble and little in the arms of God, well aware of our feebleness, but boldly confident in our Father’s goodness. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
A “Plan” for Being a Contemplative Layperson?
I’ve been asked a few times whether I have any plan for being a contemplative layperson, that is, a layperson with a primarily contemplative vocation. The short answer is no. The long answer is, in fact, long. It would begin by me saying that I don’t have a plan, because, ultimately, God throws all our …
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In Illness, on the Cross with Our Lord
Do not be distressed about having to stay in bed ill and not being able to meditate, for to endure the scourging of our Lord is no less a good than to meditate. No, it is undoubtedly better to be on the cross with the Lord than to be only looking at Him. Saint Francis …
Contemplative in the Mud 