The Little Way

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Today is the Feast of Therese of Lisieux

Pope John Paul II declared her a universal doctor of the Church. That means her teaching will help everyone who wants to be a saint. That teaching is called the “Little Way.” In her Diary she writes:

I have always wanted to be a saint. Alas! I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passers-by. Instead of becoming discouraged, I said to myself: God cannot inspire unrealizable desires. I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, and so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short, and totally new…We are living now in an age of inventions, and we no longer have to take the trouble of climbing stairs, for, in the homes of the rich, an elevator has replaced these very successfully. I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. I searched, then, in the Scriptures for some sign of this elevator, the object of my desires, and I read these words coming from the mouth of Eternal Wisdom: “Whoever is a LITTLE ONE, let him come to me.” And so I succeeded. I felt I had found what I was looking for. … The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! And for this I had no need to grow up, but rather I had to remain little and become this more and more.

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What is the Little Way?

It begins with the fact that you are a child of God the Father.

God created the universe because he wanted to create you.

And out of love for you God wants to flood your soul with Himself.

The Whole Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit want to live in you through faith and baptism so that sharing their life you become divine with them. God wants you to co-exist with Him and share in His divine being. For that is God does for His Beloved - He raises you up to make you like Himself!

You are a child of the Father.

This is your identity and your personal worth.

And with God your Father you are safe.

John Paull II says this is the most authentic meaning of spiritual childhood.

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The Little Way is Love in Return

God the Father has made me his son. I share His divine life. My true home is Heaven. What can I do in return? Love Him. How? In little ways. Do all for the love of God.

Begin each day this way: “Before you roll out of bed make the morning offering: Father, I give you my prayer, work, joy and suffering of this day. I offer it for the love of you and for the salvation of souls.”

Then practice becoming aware of the presence of God throughout the day.

And as you remember Him, say “Father, I do this for the love of you; I accept this for the love of you.”

Then whatever you do or endure is done for the love of God.

And if you love God, then you will spend time with Him – for that is what lovers do – they spend time together. And that is what prayer is – especially meditation. It is taking time frequently to be alone with the one who loves you.

In this way we love God all day and with every part of our day.

And it’s pretty hard to sin when we are actively loving God.

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Once we share in God’s life – His divine being – then we can share in His divine activity.

His greatest activity or work is the salvation of souls.

God has given you his life and sent you on a rescue mission to save souls.

You can really help to save the soul of your spouse, kids, friends and enemies and even strangers by the Little Way.

Beginning with the Morning Offering and then renewing that offering throughout the day by saying to Jesus, “I offer this prayer, this duty, this meeting, this red light, this difficult conversation, this delightful meal, this beautiful walk in the sun and trees, and especially, this suffering that I don’t like…Jesus I accept and offer this to you to save souls.”

Because you share in the life of God you can share in the work of God and the work of God is saving souls.

Worry anger and frustration will not help your loved ones get to heaven and it might wreck your own soul.

Instead, build the habit of offering every little thing to God to save souls.

Jesus I offer this to you – for souls.