Jesus gives us the key to understanding today’s Gospel reading (John 9:1-41), when He plainly states: “It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be made visible in him.” (v. 3, my emphasis). We simply call this grace.
St. Therese of Lisieux, who died a terrible death of tuberculosis at the age of 24, said this about God’s work made visible: “Without a doubt it’s a great grace to receive the Sacraments. But when God doesn’t allow it, it’s good just the same. Everything is a grace.”
As a little girl, Therese dearly wanted to receive First Holy Communion together with her older sister Celine, but was told she would have to wait until she was old enough. When her time finally arrived, it’s hard to overstate how important her First Holy Communion was for her. Later in life, Therese recalled the experience: “Jesus wished to make me taste a joy as perfect as possible in this vale of tears. The smallest details of that heavenly day have left unspeakable memories in my soul.”
From the moment she was 11 until her death 13 years later, Therese did not just “go to Mass to receive Communion”, rather she lived a Eucharistic Life. That is, she connected every aspect of her life with the Eucharist by placing all her joys and trials, hopes and doubts, petitions and praise, on the altar to be taken up by Christ and transformed by His One Sacrifice.
At every Mass, God’s works made visible is Jesus’ offering of His Life for us and our salvation.
When serving as a sacristan, Therese was known to look into the ciborium before filling it with hosts and see her reflection in the cup. She explained she was looking at herself and imagining where Christ soon would be made visible during Mass.
How Therese wanted to be united with Jesus in everything! Regarding Mass, Therese exclaimed: “We are also hosts which Jesus wants to change into Himself.”
Her Eucharistic Life culminates when, because of her tuberculosis, she no longer was able to receive Holy Communion. Although her illness deprived her of receiving Holy Communion the final 40 day of her life, it did not deprive her of living a Eucharistic Life. In her final weeks, suffering both physically and spiritually, she became more conformed than ever to Christ on the Cross. With Therese we can say, “Everything is a grace” because God truly has given us everything in Christ, who by His Cross has redeemed the world.
In daily living, Therese followed her “little way”; that is, committing to do little things with great love. She tried to make God’s Work Visible through actions she herself considered imperfect and seemingly insignificant. She likened “doing little things with great love” to little flowers that barely grow higher than the grass. However – and this is key – Therese did not hesitate to offer these little things with great love – these “little flowers” – to Christ and by His touch they became infinitely valuable.
Every Mass gives us anew the opportunity to offer GOD ourselves and all our imperfect and seemingly insignificant efforts – little flowers we offer to God. And when we do this sincerely, the Holy Spirit takes us up and infuses our lowly offering with the pure selfless offering of Christ, the Word Made Flesh.
Sweet Jesus, deepen our trust in You. Let Your work be made visible in us and through us. Let us recognize Your Work – Your Grace – made visible around us.
