St. Thérèse: We have only today

“My life is an instant, an hour which passes by; my life is a moment which I have no power to stay. You know, O my God, that to love you here on earth, I have only today.”

When I was growing up, we had a lovely children’s book about St. Thérèse. It started with the story of her childhood, and—reading it at 8 or 9—I was struck by how she was a little girl like me.

Of course, I didn’t have to read far into the book to realize that she was also different from me in her deep, deep devotion to Jesus, her hunger to join the Carmelites, and her compelling approach to everyday spirituality. But that book introduced me to Therese, and I have long admired her—and asked for her intercession many times since.

Over the years, I have come to marvel at St. Thérèse’s “little way.” I love the idea of taking simple, small steps on the road toward sainthood. I don’t know that it’s easy in practice, but I love the philosophy.

Even the smallest kindness matters. Even the littlest act has an impact. And even if we don’t have large responsibilities or significant opportunities to change the world, we can love and serve just as we are.

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, hereby a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love,” she said.

St. Thérèse lived only 24 years on earth, but she is one of the Doctors of the Church—someone who has much to offer to teach us about the Catholic faith.

And she made the most of her time on earth. As we celebrate her feast day on Oct. 1, I can’t help but reflect on how she lived in the moment, gave what she could for God to each person she encountered, and loved simply and fully.

What a powerful way to approach each day. What a wonderful challenge to take on each morning.

We have only today. But we have today. Let’s see what we can do.

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