Thérèse of Lisieux (Last Words, 7.8./4)
If a person relies on their own strength, they quickly find themselves in danger of falling into the abyss. I will rather have the right to make small mistakes until my death, without offending God – as long as I maintain humility, as long as I remain small. Just look at small children: they constantly break and tear things, they keep falling, and yet they are full of love for their parents. When I fall, it only brings me more awareness of how small I am, and then I say to myself: What could I do and what would become of me if I were to rely solely on my own strength?
I understand very well that St. Peter fell. Peter relied on himself instead of building solely on God's strength. From this, I conclude that my temptations would be much worse, and I would surely succumb to them, if I wanted to say: "God, You know that I love You too much to have even a single unbelieving thought."
I am completely sure: If Peter had humbly said to Christ: "Please give me the strength to follow You even unto death," he would have received it immediately.
I am also sure that our Lord did not tell His apostles in His teachings during His physical presence among them any more than He tells us today in the inspirations of His grace. He could have certainly said to Peter: "Ask me for the strength to accomplish what you desire." But no, He did not do that because Jesus wanted him to realize his weakness, and therefore, because he was to lead the whole church, which is full of sinners – he needed to experience what a person can accomplish without God's help.
Before his fall, the Lord said to him: "When you have turned, strengthen your brothers" (Lk 22:32). By this, He wanted to say: Be convinced from your own experience of the inadequacy of human strength.
(Therese von Lisieux: If I relied on my own strength…,
Carmel Impulses 4, I, 4, 1994)
Translated by Dr. Vojtěch Pola.
