In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples to walk into the world completely empty-handed, stripped of material security. It is a vulnerable path, yet it is exactly where true freedom begins.

This total reliance on God beautifully aligns with the famous “elevator” insight of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, whose feast we celebrate today. Feeling too small to climb the steep, exhausting “stairway of perfection” by her own willpower, Thérèse searched the Scriptures and discovered a different way. In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, she beautifully wrote: “The elevator which must raise me to Heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! And for this I had no need to become perfect, but rather I had to remain little and become this more and more.”

Like the barefoot disciples sent out on the road, Thérèse realized that our own resources, plans, and strivings are not what save us. When we drop the heavy baggage of self-reliance, we find ourselves entirely dependent on the Lord—and that is exactly when He picks us up. We do not need to figure out everything or be spiritually giant to do His work; we simply need to let Him carry us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we often exhaust ourselves trying to carry everything on our own strength. Give us the childlike grace of Saint Thérèse to stop striving and start surrendering. Empty our hands of worry, pride, and the need for control. When the road ahead feels too steep, remind us that we do not have to climb it alone—we only need to rest in Your arms and trust Your love to lift us. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

What heavy “staircase” of expectation or perfectionism are you trying to climb on your own today?

How can you practically rest in the arms of Jesus and trust His providence instead of your own planning?

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6