Day 61 of 80

The Teacher of Teachers

Chapter VIII·Manuscript C·Prayer
Context
Thérèse confessed that spiritual books left her cold — only the Gospels nourished her. She found God not in elaborate methods of prayer but in the simple words of Scripture and the silent presence of Jesus within her heart.

All spiritual authors leave me cold and dry. However beautiful and touching a book may be, my heart does not respond, and I read without understanding, or, if I understand, I cannot meditate. In my helplessness the Holy Scriptures and the Imitation are of the greatest assistance; in them I find a hidden manna, genuine and pure.

But it is from the Gospels that I find most help in the time of prayer; from them I draw all that I need for my poor soul. I am always discovering in them new lights and hidden mysterious meanings. I know and I have experienced that "the Kingdom of God is within us." Our Lord has no need of books or teachers to instruct our souls. He, the Teacher of Teachers, instructs us without any noise of words. I have never heard Him speak, yet I know He is within me. He is there, always guiding and inspiring me; and just when I need them, lights, hitherto unseen, break in.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux — Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII (Manuscript C). Taylor translation, 1912 (public domain).
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