snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm
you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice, rather,
that your names are written in heaven.”
At that time, Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned,
and made them known to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have
been given all things by my Father, so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and
no one knows the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately, “Fortunate are you to see
what you see, for I tell you, that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what
you see, but did not see it; and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Reflect:
Here is a woman who lived hardly 24 years and never left the cloister once she entered
the convent, but is recognized by the Church as the patroness of the missions. The life
of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, whose memory we honor today, teaches us several
truths: (i) that the missionary mandate is integral to the call of every Christian; (ii) that
one can do missionary work in the given context of one’s life by evangelizing those
around and by incessant prayer; (iii) that ardent desire for bringing souls to the knowledge
and love of God and unceasing prayer for souls are key to doing missions. I once heard
of a retired woman whose chosen ministry was to read the newspaper every day and
say a prayer for every person mentioned therein. Isn’t it an incredible example of
“working from home” when it comes to doing mission?
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022