Transformation in the ‘abandoned’ Christ : Thérèse of Lisieux and Charles de Foucault

Abstract

This study allows the reader to understand how these two great mystics of the modern age stood as signs of contradiction of their time insofar as they transcended the human boundaries of life by opening up themselves to the mystical. It analyses their spirituality, born in the depth of their hearts and yet firmly rooted in the Sacred Scriptures, by considering three important aspects in their life and writings, namely, their reply to God’s call, their surrender to God’s will, and their understanding of universal brotherhood. It also demonstrates the striking commonality in their spirituality, that is, their love for the ordinary things in life which has its origin and source in the mystery of the kenosis of Jesus Christ, the son of God. They teach us that faith invites us to discover the traces of the infinite divine love in the ordinariness of daily life, which includes the dark night of soul. The study reveals that these two French mystics intuitively understood that the infinite desire of God to love and to be loved by his people can be discovered in the givenness of the ordinary, that often appears unbearable, but which can be interpreted differently when seen and lived in the presence of the Lord, within the spiritual light of the One who let himself be weak on the Cross. These two great mystics take all those who study their life and writings deep into the mystery of God. Their spiritual journey is a living witness that Jesus calls every human being to share in the divine dynamic of Trinitarian love. They also remind those who make the ordinary way as their lifestyle that perfection can only be attained by surrendering our will to God’s will, thus participating and witnessing to the “Yes” of Mary in becoming the mother of God and of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In an age marked by extreme individualism and relativism, Thérèse and Charles continue to remind the post-modern man that the only way to heal the wounds of society is by unconditional loving and by showing compassion to each other, thus becoming brothers and sisters of Jesus, the divine Son of God, who keeps his arms open on the cross, the symbol of love, until the end of time.