The words of Jesus today really strikes my heart; He is asking us to love Him. He thirsts for our love. As we love our neighbours beginning with our family – it is He whom we love. I love Jesus in my wife, a man said.
Two years ago, I was at the ferry close to Nelson. Because of road closure, the ferry was busy. I had waited for about 5 hours. When it was my turn to get on the ferry, my car didn’t start. I had been listening to music while the engine was off. The traffic guy saw what was happening and he came immediately and stopped the other vehicles. He did that because if the other cars go in before me and I didn’t get in, I’ll have to wait for another 5 hours. I was deeply touched. I received love from a stranger. That was not the end. I was running around to see if there’s anyone to help me jump start my car. I found two men. Since it was dark, they asked if I had a lighter so they can see as they jumpstart my car. I didn’t have any lighter. They were kind of disappointed. ‘Don’t you smoke?’ they asked me. Well I don’t, I answered. One of them rolled his eyes. They went to their car and found one. In less than two minutes, they helped me start my car. I was able to get into the ferry without waiting for another 5 hours. The Holy Spirit touched the hearts of those men. They showed me love. Jesus invites me/us to do the same. This is indeed the revolution of the gospel. This is something new: that we can love everyone on the face of the earth, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, everyone. It is Jesus in them that we love.
I have learned a lot from Thérèse of Lisieux about loving Jesus and doing little things with love. She wrote:
There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved. Let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self sacrifice. Let us refuse Him nothing – He does so want our love!
Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them.
Therese once asked how she can show her love for God by deeds? She gave an answer:
Well – the little child will strew flowers – she will embalm the Divine Throne with their fragrance, will sing with silvery voice the canticle of love.
Therese understood that so many of the activities we do in life are boring. Nevertheless, with each present moment – no matter what we are doing – we have the opportunity to grow in grace and holiness not by performing great deeds but by doing little things with great love – performing our duties faithfully and for the love of God. Therese little way is the realization that God is present in every moment of our lives no matter how insignificant our lot in life may be.
There were times when Therese could not pray, or practice virtue. She said:
I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent.
As she lay dying, she was asked by the infirmarian why she wasn’t sleeping. Therese said:
I cannot, dear sister, I suffer too much! Then I pray…”
“And what do you say to Jesus”, she asked her.
I say nothing, I love Him!
When a sister was speaking to her of the happiness of heaven: she interrupted, saying:
It is not that which attracts me. It is love! To love, to be loved, and to come back to earth to make Love loved.
Her last words: looking at her crucifix:
Oh! I love Him! My God, I love thee!
Wishing you a happy weekend with your family.
Your brother,
~Fr. Obi