As the Reformation in Europe settled down, France remained a Roman Catholic country, devoted to the Pope. But in the late 1700s, a revolution occurred in France, toppling the monarchy and killing many magistrates and rulers, including many bishops and priests of the church. Many of the French (and most of Europe) stopped being dedicated to the church, but rather devoted themselves to the principles of “reason” and “enlightenment”, which meant that they were not devoted to God at all, but rather their own thinking. Many people no longer felt that it was necessary to obey God, to honor the church or to do anything but what is for their own good. However, there was still a strong Catholic population in France, and many were extremely devoted to the church.
Her Story:
Among these was the Martin family, who were well off, but very dedicated to the church. So much so, that when the second daughter was determining her life, she decided to become a nun, someone who had taken vows to never be married but to spend her life praying and honoring Jesus. And in fact, the oldest daughter also became a nun, which left the youngest daughter, Therese, the most beloved of her father, to remain at home and take care of her father in his old age. However, from a young age Therese had determined that she would be a “religious”—even before her older sisters had made their decisions. And so when she became old enough, she too became a nun, which broke the heart of her father, although he understood the decision.
The life of a nun is filled with prayer and doing small tasks. They take care of all the work there themselves and most spare time is spent in worship and prayer. But as with anything, the attitude one has toward the work makes a difference. Early on, Therese was very dedicated to the work and prayer, but soon another girl joined the convent who was about Therese’s age. Therese enjoyed her company quite a bit and the girls would spend time chatting and whispering during worship. Then Therese decided that she needed to devote herself to Jesus, her “husband”, and not to be distracted. So she told her new friend that she wouldn’t be spending time with her, but with Jesus alone.
But how was one to devote oneself? There were many ways to chose from, even in a convent. One could aim to be the leader, one of the “mothers” of the convent. One could dedicate oneself to service, working hard. One could dedicate oneself to prayer, becoming strict in devotion to God. Therese decided not to focus on any of these ways, but to dedicate herself to love—to treating her sisters in the convent so well that they felt as if Jesus himself were responding to them. In her dedication to love, she would focus on how she could benefit her sisters and do all she could to help them. She did not do this so much in service, but in attitude.
If she dedicated herself to love, she decided, she would dedicate herself to humility. If she were to truly love her sisters, she must be the lowest of them all. She resolved that would do whatever they asked of her, and would never complain. She strictly obeyed the “mothers” of the convent, and always be pleasant around all the sisters, never giving another sister cause for alarm or discomfort. This did not give her honor in the convent—in fact the sisters complained about her just as much as they ever did. But even if they accused her falsely, she would not say a word, but accept her punishment without complaint.
Even when she grew very sick, she did not change her attitude of love and humility. She began spitting up blood and became very weak and had to spend most of her days in bed. But in every situation, she would still do all she could to remain pleasant and helpful to the other sisters. There was one sister in particular, whom Therese didn’t like at all. She had many irritating habits and would make noises during their worship times. Therese was very irritated, but she was devoted to loving this sister. So instead of avoiding her, she would go out of her way to say kind things to her and to honor her as much as possible. The sister never knew how much Therese disliked her, but rather thought that Therese liked her best of all.
WWJD
Therese did not live a dramatic, adventurous, dangerous life like Jesus did. She didn’t make bold statements like Jesus did. But, like Jesus, she set her ideas and her honor aside in order to serve others. In her own unique way, she showed that a person can live a quiet life, and still take up the cross, sacrificing herself for the way of Jesus. Also, like Jesus, she saw the reality of the spirit world and how it changes the physical world through prayer. Jesus loved her “little way” and blessed her greatly for showing this way to multitudes.
Therese’s convent mother recognized Therese’s uniqueness in love, especially while she was ill, and asked her to write her autobiography—the story of her life. Another sister asked Therese to write her way of life, which Therese called “the little way”, because it was the opposite of the great and dramatic ways that some saints have chosen. Her writings were collected and published as a book, called “The Story of a Soul”. Therese died at 26 of the illness that afflicted her. She was known by no one but her family and convent when she died. But when her book became known, many thousands determined to follow the “little way” like Therese.
A Word From Our Sponsor
When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:8-11
Helpful Hint: Seeking Lowliness and Service
The Faithful were interested in being slaves to Jesus, and that’s all. They weren’t interested in power. They weren’t interested in personal gain. They didn’t seek high positions, although most of them could have had them if they wanted them. And even if positions were given to them—like John Wycliffe and Desmond Tutu—they used their positions to serve the lowly, not to gain more glory for themselves. Francis never sought to be an important person, and the only position he ever gained he surrendered freely at the end of his life. John Wesley could have been an important priest, but he determined to preach the gospel to whoever needed it. Ignatius could have sought worldly position and power—but he determined to be poor, serving Jesus alone instead. The life of the Faithful may not be glamorous, but God’s glory is so much more than what the world can give.
Check It Out:
Story of A Soul: The Autobiography of Therese of the Infant Jesus
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