March 28, 2013: Holy Thursday, St Therese of Lisieux

O Jesus! when you were a Pilgrim on earth (Heb 11,13), you said: "Learn of
Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your
souls" (Mt 11,29). O Mighty Monarch of Heaven, yes, my soul finds rest in
seeing you, clothed in the form and nature of a slave (Phil 2,7), humbling
yourself to wash the feet of your apostles. I recall your words that teach
me how to practice humility: "I have given you an example so that you may
do what I have done. The disciple is not greater than the Master. If you
understand this, happy are you if you put them into practice." Lord, I do
understand these words that came from your gentle and humble Heart and I
want to practice them with the help of your grace... O my Beloved, no one
had this right over you and yet you obeyed not only the Blessed Virgin and
St. Joseph but even your executioners. Now in the Sacred Host I see you at
the height of your annihilation. How humble you are, O divine King of
Glory, to subject yourself to all your priests without making any
distinction between those who love you and those who are, alas! lukewarm or
cold in your service. At their word you come down from heaven... O my
Beloved, how gentle and humble of heart you seem under the veil of the
white Host! To teach me humility you cannot humble yourself further... But,
you know my weakness, Lord. Every morning I make a resolution to practice
humility and in the evening I recognize that 1 have committed again many
faults of pride. At this I am tempted to become discouraged but I know that
discouragement is also pride. Therefore, O my God, I want to base my hope
in you alone. Since you can do everything, deign to bring to birth in my
soul the virtue I desire. To obtain this grace of your infinite mercy I
will very often repeat: “O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart
like yours!"
-St. Therese of Lisieux