Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor - Feast

Our hand has five fingers. Among these five fingers, some might assume that it is the last finger, the little finger, that has the least important function. However, we might be surprised to discover that the little finger is actually the strongest finger of the hand. Why so? When you grip a knife, the last three fingers of each hand, especially the little finger, are used to grip the knife handle tightly, with the thumb and index fingers holding it loosely. Also, try holding a hammer without the little finger gripping the handle. It won’t be that easy to hit a nail into the wall.

So it is interesting to see how much strength and power the little finger has, isn't it? It may be the smallest of all the fingers, it may be the last finger in the hand, it's just a little finger, but it certainly has considerable strength. In fact, losing the little finger can be very inconvenient. It may mean losing the grip of things, practically as well as symbolically. This helps us understand what Jesus meant when He said in the Gospel: The one who makes himself as little as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Just as the little finger plays an important role in gripping, a little child shows us how we should be strongly gripping in our dependence on God and His providence.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. Her way to holiness and eventually to sainthood is known as the "Little Way." She believed that the way to approach God is to be like how a little child approaches its parent: with open arms and complete trust. St. Teresa showed how she lived out that "Little Way" by taking on all the lowly and humble tasks in her convent. Her life was just so routine, mundane and ordinary. But she did small things with great love. St. Teresa was like that last finger of the hand – small and little, yet strong and powerful. She taught and showed us that in the small, little and lowly, God's mighty love and power is shown. May we follow her example, and learn to do all things, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, for the glory of God.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor - Feast

As adults, we tend to try and do things on our own. We think that we can handle things. We do not seem to need any help, and we value our freedom. Some of us may not take too kindly if someone were to offer suggestions or advice. We think that we are capable or sufficiently knowledgeable to take care of ourselves. But sometimes, we really do need help but perhaps we feel reluctant or too proud to ask. We think we know the answers, only to find that what we thought we know may not be sufficient. This is especially true when it comes to our spiritual life. We may be praying or doing things or getting involved in church, but are we really growing closer to God? Are we changing to truly become a child of God, part of God's family?

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us: "I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Being like a little child does not mean being childish, but being child-like. Just like a child depends on its parents for guidance, do we depend on God and seek His help? Sometimes there are issues which we cannot resolve and when we are stuck with such issues, are we willing to humbly and earnestly turn to God? Do we realise that our abilities and strength are limited, and that God is all powerful and all-knowing (omnipotent and omniscient), and that God could help us if we turn to Him? Let us make every effort to be like little children, and let our loving God be our providence and guide.