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by Sister Bridget Waldorf, SSND
Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, SSND Foundress
Her life was filled with work and worry – and yet, she “knew how to avoid being overwhelmed by it all. She was a woman of wisdom and faith who brought work and prayer into harmony. God was her center. Her gaze was fixed on God, whom she recognized as coming to her in each event, knocking at her door in each request. In her more than 5,000 letters she often thanked and praised God for all that has happened to her….Again and again she urged her sisters to seek the inner center of their lives and abide in the God they found there. She wrote, ‘May Jesus be the way you go, the truth you follow, the life you lead.’” [1]
These words, found in a short biography about our Foundress, Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, caught my attention. I think her witness offers something to all who are discerning a call of importance.
God was her center. Her gaze was fixed on God who was present at each event and in every request. She thanked and praised God. She urged others to seek the inner center and abide in the God found there. She saw Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
Perhaps you can schedule some time to pray with this inspiration from Blessed Theresa. Ask for help in making God your center. Ask for the grace to fix your eyes on God and notice God in each event. Pray for the faith to recognize God in every request that comes to you. Thank and praise God for what has been. Just sit and be with the God who loves you; abide with the God within. Ask Jesus to show you the way to go and the truth to follow and the life to lead.
Two final thoughts from Blessed Theresa:
- “…we can direct ourselves to God’s will and overcome our own.” [2]
- “In the activity of Martha, let us not forget the deep piety of Mary; at the right time, let us also rest at the feet of Jesus.” [3]
It takes time to be quiet enough to seek and listen. Nothing can replace the quiet. Nothing can replace the time of prayer. Blessings!
[1] School Sisters of Notre Dame, A Woman Led by the Lord. (Inland Press, 1985) pg. 25
[2] Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, Letter #2 (September 30,1823)
[3] Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, Letter #1862 (February 25,1855)
Prayer
“… I want to love.
It is my wish, my deep longing,
always to love, always to love You.
Still, O God, I ask myself:
How can I love you?
How should I love You?
And You answer:
Believe Me. Trust Me.
Do whatever I tell you.
Love your neighbor.
And give Me your heart.
For whoever loves gives everything with joy.”
From “You, God” by Fr. Theo Schmidkonz, S.J. p. 46 (c) 1992
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