Laetare Sunday comes at a time of Lent when some years (most?!) we need a “pick-me-up,” Lent can be challenging for many reasons, and even discouraging, feeling like this school of hard knocks is leaving us rather tenderized. If at this stage of Lent you feel a little discouraged by the way things are going, hold on to hope. This Sunday’s rose vestments are saying to you, "Hang in there!" If things are going well this Lent, praise the Lord and keep on moving! Either way, the following bits of advice from our patroness may be helpful for you all. Simply remember that God enjoys when we are small, and that passing Lent with a perfect score is not a requirement for heaven. In the words of St. John of the Cross: "In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”
One sister remembered Thérèse saying the following: "The only way to advance rapidly in the path of love is to remain always very little. That is what I did, and now I can sing with our holy Father, St. John of the Cross: 'Then I abased myself so low, so very low, That I ascended to such heights, such heights indeed, That I did overtake the prey I chased!’ "
One of the other nuns in Carmel, under a temptation which seemed to her irresistible, said to Thérèse: "This time, I cannot surmount it." She replied:
"Why seek to surmount it? Rather pass beneath. It is all well for great souls to soar above the clouds when the storm rages; we have simply to suffer the showers. What does it matter if we get wet? We shall dry ourselves in the sunshine of love. It recalls a little incident of my childhood. One day a horse was standing in front of the garden gate, and preventing us from getting through. My companions talked to him and tried to make him move off, but while they were still talking I quietly slipped between his legs . . . Such is the advantage of remaining small.”
Another nun asked Thérèse:
'Remaining little'—what does it mean?” Her answer: 'Remaining little' means—to recognize one's nothingness, to await everything from the Goodness of God, to avoid being too much troubled at our faults; finally, not to worry over amassing spiritual riches, not to be solicitous about anything. Even amongst the poor, while a child is still small, he is given what is necessary; but, once he is grown up, his father will no longer feed him, and tells him to seek work and support himself. Well, it was to avoid hearing this, that I have never wished to grow up, for I feel incapable of earning my livelihood, which is Life Eternal!"