At a hotel near Notre-Dame des Victoires in Paris in 1887, two names were listed in a guest registry on the same day: St. Therese of Lisieux and Friedrich Nietzsche.
St. Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, stayed at the hotel as they prepared to travel to Rome to ask for the Holy Father’s permission for 15-year-old Therese to enter the convent. On the same evening, Nietzsche, an atheistic philosopher, stayed there, too.
G.K. Chesterton once remarked that in every age, God provides a saint that is contrary to the spirit of the age. This is certainly true with St. Therese’s “spiritual childhood,” which stands in sharp contrast to our modern age of nihilism and despair.
For Nietzsche, God is dead and therefore there is no universal truth nor objective standards of morality. Any talk of morality, for Nietzsche, was just a mask covering up one’s own subjective preferences and will to power. Devoid of a universal morality, Nietzsche’s world was simply left with “my will” versus “your will.” In this Godless world, authentic hope vanishes and no ultimate meaning remains.
Around 1,900 years earlier, we get the sense that our two disciples on the road to Emmaus tasted Nietzsche’s world. Addressed by the Living One, they looked downcast (Lk 24:17) and spoke with a melancholic tone that they “were hoping” this Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel (Lk 24:21). However, this Jesus was “put to death” and along with him, their hope was, too.
Thankfully, light suddenly broke in. Referring to all that was written about him in the Scripture, the Risen One began to heal their faith and buoy up their hope. As he spoke to them, their hearts burned within them (Lk 24:32).
Beautifully, they begged, “Lord, stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over” (Lk 24:29). In the midst of their despair and pain, they asked for his presence. In a world of dark shadows, can we not ask for this great gift as well? “Lord, stay with us!”
Indeed, God gives a saint to contrast the spirit of every age. In our age where autonomy, honor and power reign, the Lord gives us saints like St. Therese. For the “Little Flower,” the way is not up (my will and my way), but rather down (humility, trust and confidence in God’s will and love). Happiness is found not by becoming big, but rather by becoming little. St. Therese reminds us that you become a great human being (or better, a saint!) by becoming a trusting child of the loving Father.
As we all know, every path leads somewhere. Sadly, in 1889 Nietzsche had a mental breakdown and suffered from mental illness until his lonely death in 1900. St. Therese, on the other hand, soared in love for and communion with Jesus, whom she called her “fiancé,” through her suffering until her death in 1897. Looking at the crucifix and surrounded by her sisters, she uttered those beautiful final words, “Oh! I love him! My God, I … love … thee!” It was her final oblation made to merciful love.
Every path leads somewhere. Nietzsche’s path of nihilism and despair led him away from Jerusalem, resulting in nihilism, despair and loneliness. St. Therese’s path of trust and love moved her toward the New Jerusalem, resulting in joy and communion with Eternal Love.
Allow the Risen Christ to encounter you this Easter, to stay with you and to guide you in the way of trust and love. In doing so, God willing, you will be able to write your name in the book of life (Rev 20:12).
Father Andrie is pastor of St. Therese in Deephaven. He can be reached at [email protected].
Sunday, April 26
Third Sunday of Easter
Recent Comments