Prayer Sheet

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Final)

Preparation:
Consider the heart of Jesus. Come into His presence with
confidence that He loves you despite your shortcomings.

Reading:
Thérèse drew on her relationship with God to nourish those He sent into her life, especially her novices and spiritual brothers. In the last few pages of her writings, she shares her insight into a simple means of entrusting them and their every need to the care of Him whom she knew loved her.

"He made me understand these words of the Canticles of Canticles: "DRAW ME, WE SHALL RUN after you in the odour of your ointments." O Jesus, it is not even necessary to say: "When drawing me, draw the souls whom I love!" This simple statement: "Draw me" suffices; I understand, Lord, that when a soul allows herself to be captivated by the odour of your ointments, she cannot run alone, all the souls whom she loves follow in her train; this is done without constraint, without effort, it is a natural consequence of her attraction of You. Just as a torrent, throwing itself with impetuosity into the ocean, drags after it everything it encounters in this passage, in the same way, O Jesus , the soul who plunges into the shoreless ocean of your Love, draws with her all the treasures she possesses.

Dear Mother, now I would like to tell you what I understand by the odour of the ointments of the Beloved. Since Jesus has reascended into heaven, I can follow Him only in the traces He has left; but how luminous these traces are! how perfumed! I have only to cast a glance in the Gospels and immediately I breathe in the perfumes of Jesus' life, and I know on which side to run. I don't hasten to the first place but to the last; rather than advance like the Pharisee, I repeat, filled with confidence, the publican's humble prayer. Most of all I imitate the conduct of Magdalene; her astonishing or rather her loving audacity which charms the Heart of Jesus also attracts my own. Yes, I feel it; even though I had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into Jesus' arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him. It is not because God, in His anticipating Mercy, has preserved my soul from mortal sin that I go to Him with confidence and love…."
Story of A Soul: Clarke Pg 254, 258-9 end of Manuscript C

Scriptural Echo:
Thérèse, knowing her death was imminent, was bold enough to pray Jesus' prayer before his own death, uniting all her treasures with him: John 17:4-25. Due to space constraint, only some of the verses are given below:
I have manifested your name to those whom you have given me out of this world. They were yours, and you have given them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they have learned that whatever you have given me is from you; because the words you have given me, I have given to them…. I pray for them, not for the world do I pray, but for those whom you have given me, because they are yours; and all things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I am glorified in them….. Father, I will that where I am, these also whom you have given me may be with me, …. And I have made known your name to them, and will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them. Story of A Soul: Clarke Pg 255

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16

Questions:
1. How do you feel about the people God has entrusted into your care? How do you pray for them?
2. Where do you go to find God/Jesus?
3. Do you have the audacity of Magdalene or the boldness of Thérèse with God/Jesus? Why or why not?

Quote for the week:
O Jesus , the soul who plunges into the shoreless ocean of your Love, draws with her all the treasures she possesses.

[Background information on these prayer sheets]

[Therese on tour (Perth website)]
[Prayer reflections for Easter 2002]
[Prayer reflections for Lent 2002]
[Prayer reflections for Jan-Feb 2002]
[Prayer reflections for Advent-Christmas 2001]
[Prayer reflections for October-November 2001]

Prayer of Thanksgiving:
God, Our Father,
we thank you for the many blessings showered on us
during the visit of Thérèse to Australia.
Her presence in our midst has touched many hearts,
given hope to the young, and much joy to children.
We ask that you continue to bless us,
who have come to know you better
through our spiritual sister, Thérèse,
that we may always have the utmost confidence and trust in your love.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Design © OCD 2002

Official website of the Australian visit