St. Thérèse’s Little Way: Loving Weakness as Strength – Feb 17 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 17, 2026, exploring St. Thérèse of Lisieux's humble self-understanding and her profound awareness of God's unconditional love, encouraging us to embrace our weaknesses as a path to spiritual growth.

Father continues his series on counsels for healthy spirituality, focusing on "right knowledge" of self and God through St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. He describes how Thérèse humbly saw herself as imperfect, weak in virtues, and reliant on God's help, yet knew He regarded her with delight and love— a truth extending to all of us. Father suggests a Lenten prayer to grasp God's gentle gaze upon us. Quoting Thérèse's autobiography, she glories in weaknesses during her illness, expecting new imperfections without distress. In a letter to Céline, she embraces frequent falls as realizations of weakness that bring gain, seeking God's strength over self-focus. Referencing St. Francis de Sales' letter to St. Jane, Father notes humility's peak is loving our lowliness, enabled by knowing we are loved. Paradoxically, Thérèse found faults encouraging, never discouraged by fixating on her Savior's goodness. She saw herself as little and loved, freed to love God as beloved child and spouse, sacrificing all for Jesus, her divine Bridegroom. Father poses a reflection: like unconditional human love revealing the lover's goodness, God's love stems from His perfection, not ours. Thérèse knew God delighted in her prayers because He cherishes His child. Finally, before death, she told Mother Agnes of her mission to make others love God via the Little Way, spreading Gospel news of His loving nature and giving Him "good press." Embracing this understanding, as Thérèse did, empowers great deeds. Father asks Our Lady for grace to know the Lord and our place in His eyes.

For Further Reading
St. Thérèse - Embracing weakness in illness - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-therese-of-lisieux/
CCC 2559 - Prayer as God's gift - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1.htm#2559
CCC 2013 - God's gratuitous saving love - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c3a2.htm#iv
CCC 2782 - Humility in addressing God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a2.htm#2782
Matthew 5:14-16 - Called to be light - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?14

Ave Maria!

Mass: 7 Founders of Servite Order - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1257
Readings: Tuesday 6th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021726.cfm
1st: jam 1:12-18
Resp: psa 94:12-15, 18-19
Gsp: mar 8:14-21

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1037&r=1596

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XnvWwNOpxo0