I sit here this morning reading my Bible, meditating on Luke’s Gospel. In Luke 12:27 Jesus says “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.”
My patroness, St. Therese of Lisieux comes to mind and share with me the image of a rose.
A rose is intricate in its beauty. Look deep into a rose and see many layers – layers of intertwined petals and color. When a fresh rose is near, its fragrance turns your head.
Roses come at times with thorns that sting but they always bring a beauty and depth in blossom. A garden filled with roses bushes brings a richness of color and fragrance and beauty often unparalleled.
St. Therese shares with me that life in Christ is as simple as a rose. There is purpose to each part, even the thorn. A thorn in life can protect the soul from wrong moves but can also be the catalyst of growth in the life of a soul. A dark night (thorn) is sometimes necessary to raise the soul to new heights. The pruning simply makes the rose stronger and fuller and brings more buds.
When the soul is cared for correctly and fully, the blossoms pop and capture those around it. The soul’s simple presence brings a fragrance that other souls immediately sense. Souls sense this fragrant rose, sniffing his scent in his actions, deeds and words as well as the soul’s fragrant demeanor of peace.
Ever just sit and gaze upon a rose in full bloom? The intricacy of the petals and design of the rose is incredible. It’s not just another simple flower in the garden. A rose is planted and cared for to stand out. A rose is made to be among the other flowers but to turn heads. Like the fragrant soul who is planted in a world of weeds to stand out and draw attention. Not for his own beauty but for the love of the gardener who tends it.
The world today is a wild mess with weeds and deep manure everywhere. But, imagine adding a single rose bush in the middle, maybe pairing it with others nearby. Soon, the roses’ beauty, color and scent stand out. The soul catches the eye, heart and imagination of others who then desire to bloom. In this, the Gardener (God) fills His rose bed.
I pray today that St. Therese – the Little Flower, bring you a field of beautiful roses to lift your spirit to look to God and give praises. And further, that God show you that to Him, you are more beautiful than every rose and flower ever created.