The Greatest Love Affair of all

 When I first came to Carmel it was St John of the Cross and St Teresa who inspired me most.  I had read Story of a Soul by St Therese (Feast Day today) long before but the little book had not made much impact on me.  It was when our OCDS community began to study her together in our meetings that I started to see the profound depth under the seeming simplicity.  Moreover, as an incorrigible romantic myself, I responded to her passion for God.  This passion echoes our love affairs with each other, that deep attachment to other beloved persons that gives such colour and savour to life.  If you think about it, so many songs and poems written on the theme of our human loves (why make such a fuss about this thing called love?) perhaps point us to a yearning for a deeper attachment than we can ever have with our fellow human beings, an attachment to God through Jesus.  The Bible is the story of God’s love for humanity, eternally calling on us to respond, and there never was a greater singer of that magnificent love story than Therese.   

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

 Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, little Matthew (six years old, died of cancer)