Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church
Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church
Reading: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8
Alleluia: Mark 10:45
Gospel: Luke 9:51-56
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (also known as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux or “The Little Flower”)
Saint Therese (the English spelling of her name) was born on Jan 2, 1873, and died on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24 from tuberculosis. She entered Lisieux Carmel at the age of 15 years and 3 months after asking permission from Bishop Hugonin (who didn’t outright deny her asked her to wait). This was followed by a pilgrimage to Rome and asking Pope Leo XIII during an audience during his Golden Jubilee as a priest. Therese was very persistent for being so young. She was declared a saint and canonized on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI. She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1997. She is the 33rd and youngest Doctor of the Church.
For more information, I recommend going to this website:
https://www.littleflower.org/
Job’s Complaint
In yesterday’s reading from Job, we have the first trial in Chapter 1 and today’s reading skips over Chapter 2 and goes directly into Chapter 3. To understand Job’s complaint, we need a quick review of Chapter 2. Again, the heavenly court is with God and the satan is there. God once again asks the satan what he has been up to and the satan provides the same answer, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.” (Job 2:2). God once again points out Job and his faithfulness, even after the losing his possessions and sons and daughters. The satan says that if his body was afflicted, then Job would sin.
And the LORD said to the satan, “He is in your power; only spare his life.”
Job 2:6
So, the satan gives Job boils all over his body. This time, Job’s wife asks if he still claims to be innocent of sin and says to “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) and Job’s response is to tell her that if we accept good things from God, then we need to accept suffering as well. And he still did not sin. He three friends, Bildad, Zophar, and Naamath. show up to comfort him and sit with him in silence for seven days and that is where we pick up today’s reading in Chapter 3.
We get in these verses from today a lament. Job is lamenting the day that he was born and why he did not die at birth or had been stillborn and that it would have been better off if he had been buried. He ponders on why those who are life is given to those in misery and who finally die rejoice in the grave.
I suffer from Major Depression and unfortunately it is not a chemical issue, but a mental issue. Many of my thoughts have been like Job’s since after turning 22 years old (30 years ago). Through many trials, I have come to know God and put aside some of my thoughts of unworthiness; each trial, leading me closer to God. But they still arise and haunt me. About a month ago, I had another trial and God put a husband and wife into my life and together they lead me closer to Christ by their example. I only pray that God gives me the grace to remain faithful to him, the way that Job remained faithful.
What trials does God give you? When you are going through a trial, do you run away from God and curse him, or do you run towards his son Jesus, on the Cross and prostrate yourself before him? Run towards him and give yourself over to him completely. Remain faithful.
Departure for Jerusalem; Samaritan Inhospitality
In today’s reading from St. Luke, Jesus begins his final journey towards Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead. The messengers stopped at a Samaritan village to prepare for him, but when Jesus and the rest of the disciples arrived, the Samaritans would not welcome him because they were on their way to Jerusalem. In typical fashion, James and John say, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” (Luke 9:54) Jesus’ reply though is one of mercy and he rebukes James and John, and they continued on to another village.
Jesus’ reaction to hostility is not to immediately resort to anger and wrath, but of forgiveness. Could he have called down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritan village? Absolutely, but he didn’t. He simply moved on to the next village. We will however see his righteous anger later as he overturns the tables of the money changes, but not today.
In today’s secular society, the hostility towards Christians and especially Catholics, is very real. No longer veils, we see it in conversations and in the destruction of church statues, images, and property with over 452 attacks since May 2020. We are not called to retaliation though. We are called to pick up, rebuild, and forgive our enemies. In our fallen human nature, this can be extremely difficult. But it is indeed what we are called to do.
As you go through your day, how easy is it for you to move past the wrongs that have been committed to you? How easy is it for you to forgive? And can you bear the wrongs faithfully like Job? Can you forgive like Jesus?
Prayer for the Strength to Forgive
Faultless Lord, enduring death for me,
You have consummated the debt of my sins:
Your sacrifice of forgiveness was absolute!
Grant me the strength to also forgive others,
To excuse their transgressions against me.
So I may truly reflect this spiritual fruit,
Obliterate any persistent feelings of malice.
Let each trespass end as a closing chapter,
My continuing on the road of righteousness.
Forgive my sins as I aspire to forgive others.
You are truly archetypical of forgiveness.
You are a most forgiving Lord!