God First

Readings for Wednesday October 1, 2008

Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

First Reading:  Job 9:1-12, 14-16

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 88

Gospel:  Luke 9:57-62

The Presidential candidate John McCain has a great slogan out now that says "Country First."  This is a great slogan as it addresses our societies selfish need to take care of "me first."  While this slogan is very important, and we should take our responsibilities as citizens of this great country very seriously; this phrase does not reflect how we should be living our lives.  Instead of country first...it should be "God First."  Many faithful throughout history have understood the importance of this calling, and today we honor Saint Therese of the Child Jesus who understands this calling as well as any. 

 Saint Therese (also known as the little flower) was a Carmelite nun in Lisieux, France.  Saint Therese devoted herself to love of Christ and love of others.  She knew exactly what it meant to put "God First."  The following excerpt comes from Rev. John F. Russell, O.Carm.: 

 

"St. Therese believed that love was everything. She recognized the centrality of love when she read I Corinthians 13; she wanted to embrace that call.  She translated this desire for love by developing her relationship to Jesus Christ. She gave each day to him as a way of manifesting her love for him. When she discovered that life was not easy in the convent of Lisieux, that some of the nuns were coarse and difficult to live with, she came to the conclusion that the condition would be chronic. It was not going to go away. Therefore she had to decide how she would live within this environment. She discovered her “little way”: to accept that each one came ultimately from the divine artist and thus each one is loved forever by God. Therefore she would love them as best she could…a kind word, a smile, an assist when she was able."

In the gospel today Jesus reminds those that He asks to follow Him to not worry about the other things first, that they need to put Him first.  This is often a difficult task for us, to put God first, even above family and friends.  But this is what we are called to do.  But like Saint Therese, we will see that when we surrender to God and chose to love Him first, we will find that we can better love others.  By putting God first in our lives, we will see that our other relationships will thrive better and that our lives and the things that we need to do will be put into a much clearer perspective.  

Let us all pray for the selfless and childlike love that we are called to love God and each other with.  Saint Therese, pray for us.  

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  We pray for the strength and courage to follow you no matter what comes before us in our lives.  Help us to humble ourselves and give of ourselves totally as your servant Saint Therese had.  Lord we pray for all those who are struggling in their journey now and all those in need.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.