Homily for Tuesday, Week 26 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
26th Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Therese

Oct. 1, 2024
Luke 9: 51-56
Collect
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Jesus passes thru villages
on his way toward Jerusalem
(Tissot)

“When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Luke 9: 51).

Jesus has foretold his fate.  He knows that “the days were fulfilled,” i.e., that God’s plan is unfolding and coming to its climax.  He knows what awaits him in Jerusalem, that he’ll “be taken up,” hung upon a cross.  He fears that fate:  “My soul is surfeited with troubles, and my life draws near the nether world” (Ps 88:4).

But he’s resolute, determined to “follow trustingly” (Collect) where his Father directs.  As a consequence of his trust, he’ll “be taken up” in a different manner, raised from the grave and drawn up to heaven, delivered from the fate he fears.

Little Therese trusted humbly in the Father’s love, living simply in her convent, unseen by the world, known only to her Carmelite sisters and her immediate family.  There she suffered her own way of the cross, taken by TB at the age of 24.  She did no extraordinary work except to love and edify her sisters—her “little way” of living for Jesus and like Jesus, doing the ordinary extraordinarily well.  “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul,” she said.  So Jesus bestowed upon her “eternal glory,” whence she now showers her devotees with blessings:  “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.”

Jesus desires the same for us.  If our past included greater works—teaching is a great work, as is guiding one’s brothers toward Jesus—those days are past.  Now we live “the monotony of obscure sacrifice,” resolutely setting ourselves toward Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem where Jesus lives in glory, where he desires to draw us; he said himself, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).  We’ll reach him by walking Therese’s “little way” of love for Jesus and our brothers.