- Feb 5, 2002
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The Rev. Mother St. Thérèse Couderc of France wrote one of the loveliest treatises I have read on surrender to God. Not to be confused with our beloved Thérèse of Lisieux, Mother Couderc lived in France for eighty years before her death in 1885. She lived a simple and hidden life, often accused of indiscretions she did not commit and suffered it all for Jesus, a familiar story for many of God’s dear saints.
The Rev. Mother Thérèse Couderc had an understanding of life with God, which she sums up in a phrase: “the surrendered soul has found paradise on earth since she enjoys that sweet peace which is part of the happiness of the elect.”
Do you remember the parable of the rich young ruler? The man came to Jesus and said he did everything required by the law, so what must he do further to obtain eternal life? Jesus, seeing through to the heart of the matter, was moved with pity and told the man to go and sell everything he owned and follow Him. Our blessed Lord could see through the clutter of religious observation what the man was attached to. He had his religion, but he did not have a surrendered soul.
We may also remember the beginning of our own Christian life, the “hour we first believed,” and go back to that time and place when we had lost our sense of self, maybe for the very first time, and therein found ourselves in the gaze of a loving God. Things were much simpler back then, for we had nothing but God. And indeed, some of us have not yet truly believed at all. God – His Beloved Church and these sacraments we practice dutifully – are not more than a checklist to us. We imagine that someday we will approach the gates of heaven with our checklist complete, and God will swing the gates open wide.
Continued below.
catholicstand.com
The Rev. Mother Thérèse Couderc had an understanding of life with God, which she sums up in a phrase: “the surrendered soul has found paradise on earth since she enjoys that sweet peace which is part of the happiness of the elect.”
Do you remember the parable of the rich young ruler? The man came to Jesus and said he did everything required by the law, so what must he do further to obtain eternal life? Jesus, seeing through to the heart of the matter, was moved with pity and told the man to go and sell everything he owned and follow Him. Our blessed Lord could see through the clutter of religious observation what the man was attached to. He had his religion, but he did not have a surrendered soul.
We may also remember the beginning of our own Christian life, the “hour we first believed,” and go back to that time and place when we had lost our sense of self, maybe for the very first time, and therein found ourselves in the gaze of a loving God. Things were much simpler back then, for we had nothing but God. And indeed, some of us have not yet truly believed at all. God – His Beloved Church and these sacraments we practice dutifully – are not more than a checklist to us. We imagine that someday we will approach the gates of heaven with our checklist complete, and God will swing the gates open wide.
Continued below.
To Surrender Oneself
Saint Therese Couderc is a little known french saint - not to be confused with St. Therese of Lisieux. Her treatise on surrender worth a read.
catholicstand.com
