I've acquired quite a sermon collection in the last few years, but this sermon remains, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorites, because the message is so consoling, and therefore it's got good "repeat value".

It's a sermon given by a traditional Catholic priest... I may have posted it here before, but I can't remember... about St. Theresa's "little way to heaven." It is a consoling message for all of us who feel we've maybe missed the boat as Catholics early in our lives, or who tend to worry or feel depressed about our chances for salvation. From the great God will expect great things, but from the little ones, little things...

Elevator to Heaven

One of the many things it points out, is how although we must certainly fight against our weaknesses and imperfections, we can't do more than we are able.

Example (of my own): A well meaning soul resolves to say all 15 decades of the rosary every day, for example, but it's too much for them, and in the end they end up giving it it up altogether, and saying not even 5. This is a soul who is trying to do more than they are really able. Others may find the same feat easy, but for that particular soul, it was just too much, or at least for that period of their spiritual lives. They would have done better to say 5 decades faithfully, than to resolve to say 15, become overwhelmed, and give all up.

Most of us won't be great saints, but this sermon reminds us that ALL of us are nevertheless called to be saints. If we can't be great and mighty ones, we must at least be little ones, according to our own capacity. St. Theresa, "the Little Flower" turned out to be a great saint, and this sermon full of her words and life, is encouraging for all of us who never could quite picture ourselves making it anywhere near sainthood.