The envelope and the letter

     I'm reading the conversations of St Therese of Lisieux and her sister Celine. St Therese, being the Little flower, refers to herself as an "envelope and a letter". Her beloved sister Celine, who was Prioress of the Carmelites while St Therese resided there, wrote down these conversations. What a prophetic way to describe our human bodies and souls. The "envelope" referring to the outer self, and the "letter" as the inner self, our soul. Only God knowing what the letter has written on it, which He has given to each of us.

     Beloved Saint Therese is such a wonderful example of love of suffering and surrender to God's Holy will, living each day on His timing. She had  Tuberculosis and the suffering she endured daily was excruciating. She eventually coughed up blood and was too weak to participate in Holy prayers and recreation while at the Carmelite convent. All the while still keeping the envelope White and the letter constant of loving words to her Savior and Mary. What a beautiful love letter she wrote. Her sister wrote down their conversations in a notebook and the sweet words of two siblings, are touching and enlightening. They show us the humanness and devoted power of Love and surrender. The book is called, "her last conversations" and I recommend reading this amazing account of Saint Therese of Lisieux's journey of life to death. She had struggles, she had moments of sadness, but turned those emotions into Joy, even though she was in great pain. Struggling, as she waited for our Lord to rescue her and fulfill her dream of being with Him someday in Heaven. In that time of her life, there was a procedure called "Pointes de feu". A cauterizing remedy for tuberculosis, consisting of repeated puncturing of the skin with red hot needles. Oh! The pains she suffered in this procedure! All willingly, all surrendering. With joy she suffered for her King. Being comforted by the Angels, and Mary till she gained her final reward of death. 

     What is our letter going to consist of? The parchment with the words only our Lord reads. The completion of Our lives is sealed in the envelope. No stamp, no date, no return address. May it delight Him , as He reads it and may we be granted the Holy Grace to personally deliver it to Him, with contentment and peace of a life well lived of goodness, courage, surrender, and love. 

     Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for us!