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“It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day and night. Even when you are not listening, even when you doubt it could be Me, I am there. I await even the smallest sign of your response, even the least whispered invitation that will allow Me to enter.” – I Thirst for You: A meditation attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta
Scripture Reading: John 15:10 – “As much as the Father has loved me, I have loved you.”
Saint Teresa of Calcutta is probably one of the most popular saints of today’s age and with good reason! I am quite sure that I do not have to give that much background on her life and ministry because she is so well known from her recent canonization. There is however an aspect of her life and relationship with our Lord that I do think is very important to talk about and reflect upon. “I Thirst” is a meditation that has been attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta, and is one that has quite literally changed my relationship with our Lord. In this meditation we can come to learn just how much the Lord loves us and desires to dwell in our hearts.
My fellow women and daughters in Christ, I am here telling you that you are the Lord’s Beloved. The Lord stands at the door of your heart waiting day and night for your invitation. He wants to have a intensely personal relationship with each and every one of you. This is something that St. Teresa of Calcutta knew on a very deep level. She knew the Lord’s love for her so much so that it poured into her ministry, and every person who came in contact with St. Teresa of Calcutta knew that she saw the face of Jesus when she looked at them.
This is the kind of person we should all strive to be, and the first step on this journey is to accept the love that Jesus has to offer. I know, I know, you are probably thinking, “but I do accept His love!” I have been thinking the same thing, but I know in my heart that I haven’t fully accepted His love because I keep trying to put things in His place. For some reason, the Lord’s love hasn’t been enough for me and this problem is rooted in my deep level of stubbornness and need to control every aspect of my life. Accepting the Lord’s love completely is a truly scary thing. It means that we have to let go, place our trust in the Lord, and step out into the deep.
I have a sister who is ready to step out into the deep. She is about to give her life completely to the Lord and join the Missionaries of Charity. This call includes a life of extreme poverty, a continual helping of the poor, and home visits that are very few and far apart. The Lord calls each and every one of us to give our lives to Him in a very unique and individual way. He calls us to seek His love and His love alone, and when we do this we have the opportunity to fully enter into His plan for us. He loves us as the Father has loved Him. He loves us to the point of dying on the cross for us and is waiting for you to give Him your whole heart.
Reflect and Discuss: Take time to read St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Meditation, I Thirst. How is the Lord calling you to have an intensely unique relationship with Him? In what areas of your heart do you need to open the doors and invite Him in?
Act: Give a little bit more of your heart to Jesus today. Let go of something that you have been holding onto that is keeping you from being fully present in the Lord’s love and plan for you.
