The Little way of St Therese of Child Jesus

Summary

The video script discusses St. Therese of Lisieux's 'Little Way,' a spiritual path emphasizing humility, trust, and surrender to God. It highlights her belief in the importance of spiritual childhood, where one acknowledges their own nothingness and relies entirely on God's goodness. St. Therese's approach to holiness involves active love and good works, not passivity. She encourages maintaining a childlike disposition, expecting everything from God's goodness, and using virtues as God's treasures. The script suggests that by embracing this 'Little Way,' one can journey towards sanctity.

Takeaways

• 🌟 St. Therese emphasized 'the little ways' as a path to spiritual growth and perfection in daily life.
• 👶 She referred to this path as 'spiritual childhood,' highlighting humility and surrender to God's will.
• 💬 Pope Benedict XV and Pius XI recognized the transformative potential of this approach for individuals and society.
• 📜 The concept is rooted in Jesus' teachings about humility and the importance of being like a little child in the kingdom of heaven.
• 🌱 St. Therese did not write about the 'little way' extensively but verbally conveyed its significance.
• 🌼 She encouraged offering 'flowers of little sacrifices' to Jesus as a means of spiritual progress.
• 🙏 The 'little way' involves recognizing one's own nothingness and relying entirely on God's goodness.
• 💡 It is not about passivity but about active trust in God while performing good works to the best of one's ability.
• 💪 St. Therese's approach was to remain a spiritual child, never attributing virtues to herself but acknowledging God's role.
• 📝 Despite not writing a formal treatise, her final words encapsulated the essence of the 'little way' as a disposition of arms and trust in God's goodness.
• 🔥 St. Therese's unwavering desire was to be a saint, and her 'little way' was a tool for achieving this holiness.

Q & A

What is the 'little way' as described in the script?

The 'little way' is a spiritual path of humility, confidence, and complete surrender to God, inspired by the words of Jesus about humbling oneself as a little child to be great in the kingdom of heaven.

Why did St. Therese refer to her spiritual path as 'the little ways'?

St. Therese referred to her spiritual path as 'the little ways' because it is based on the idea of spiritual childhood, which involves recognizing one's own nothingness and expecting everything from God's goodness.

How did St. Therese explain the concept of remaining like a child before God?

St. Therese explained that remaining like a child before God means recognizing our own nothingness and relying entirely on God's goodness, similar to how a child looks to its father for everything.

What did St. Therese mean when she said that one should not grow up spiritually?

St. Therese meant that one should not attribute virtues to oneself or believe in one's own capabilities, but rather remain humble and recognize that all virtues are God's treasures given to us to use as needed.

How does the 'little way' relate to the idea of spiritual childhood according to St. Therese?

The 'little way' relates to spiritual childhood by emphasizing the importance of humility, trust, and dependence on God, just as a child depends on its parents for everything.

What role did St. Therese believe one should play in achieving salvation?

St. Therese believed that while one should be humble and childlike in faith, one should also actively work towards salvation by doing all in one's power to give without counting the cost and by performing good works.

How did St. Therese's 'little way' influence the views of other religious figures like Pope Benedict XV and Pius XI?

Pope Benedict XV and Pius XI recognized the significance of St. Therese's 'little way,' with Pius XI stating that human society could be reformed and restored if this path were followed.

What did St. Therese mean when she spoke of 'casting before Jesus the flowers of little sacrifices'?

St. Therese meant that one should offer small acts of sacrifice and love to Jesus, which, though seemingly insignificant, are precious and contribute to one's spiritual growth and path to holiness.

What was St. Therese's view on the importance of confidence in one's spiritual journey?

St. Therese believed in maintaining confidence in God's love and mercy, even in the face of personal faults and failures, drawing a parallel to how a loving father cherishes a repentant child.

How did St. Therese's desire to be a saint shape her approach to the 'little way'?

St. Therese's desire to be a saint was the driving force behind her development of the 'little way,' as she aimed to achieve holiness through humility, trust, and active love expressed through good works.

What is the significance of the 'little way' in St. Therese's teachings, and how can it be applied today?

The 'little way' is significant because it offers a practical and accessible path to holiness for everyone, emphasizing the importance of spiritual childhood and confidence in God's goodness. It can be applied today by embracing humility, trust, and performing small acts of love and sacrifice.