Opening Prayer
I’m awed that You betroth Yourself to me, Holy God of Love. You know my selfishness and the impurity of my flirting heart. You know the selfish needs I’ve deified and worshipped – and yet You remember the youthful romance of our hearts, and espouse Yourself to me. I am not worthy to touch You, yet I yearn to reach out to feel Your embrace. Stop the hemorrhaging of my heart. Cure all that deadens my spirit – and diminishes or demeans any of Your beloved people. Bring us to life, in the power of Your embracing and tender love.
Therese, this must have been a dark day for you, when in 1897, the decision was made to isolate you in the infirmary because of the accelerating rate of your illness. You must have known that God was drawing you closer to home. Help us to have faith amid the dark times of pain, disappointment and illness – to trust that your refining and embracing presence is still with us, even though we feel empty. Strengthen our faith, powerful Therese, to believe that in our frailty is God’s mercy and healing power.
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