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I had the cheek to write a book of short reflections, about
the Saints. I felt that the Saints were God’s delight, but were often
portrayed as not for real, out of the ordinary, not human. So I thought I
would search for aspects of their humanity that would appeal to me. We are
all saints - small ‘s’ - because we have been chosen by God. No matter what
we do we are always ‘in God’. In Heaven, I think that most of the Saints - big
S - will be married people.
Saint Therese of Lisieux is a popular Saint at the
moment. Her relics are travelling the world and will soon be honoured in
Great Britain. I think that it is her message that we are longing for. All
persons, all things, are pointers to God, not God. Although a very young
person, her idea of A Compassionate God was really refreshing and
encouraging. I like three of her stories.
She said ’I am so weak. I have no works to earn or merit
Heaven. God is my work and His work is Love; so God will be my lift ‘. She
tells, that A King was on a hunting spree, with horses and hounds and body
guards. A frightened rabbit jumped into the Kings carriage for safety. The
soldier drew his sword to kill the rabbit. When the King saw the rabbit’s
eyes he stopped the soldier and ordered him to bring home the rabbit to be
a pet in the King’s house.
God Our Father is like that. He cannot resist love for
human eyes. Maurice was a friend of Therese but he stopped writing to her
when he got involved in a bad relationship. He felt ashamed. When they eventually
met, she said, that you know little of my tenderness for you if you think
that anything you do would make me think less of you.
Blessed are the poor of spirit, Jesus said.
Saint Therese lived His words.
Liam Hickey St. Ciarans
Hartstown Dublin 15.
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