When it comes to questions like this, it’s best to turn to someone who has already been through the same situation and overcome the challenge. What can we do to get to heaven?
Elevator of the Postal Palace – Mexico City. Photo: reproduction
Newsroom (26/10/2024 13:16, Gaudium Press) I’m sure that, on many occasions in your life, you’ve had to climb stairs. But I’m not talking about those staircases with only three or four steps, I’m talking about those whose end is not immediately visible… When we were children, we dared to show off our energy in front of our elders as we climbed them, but after a certain age – it doesn’t have to be much – the situation begins to change… Do you agree?
Let’s take our imagination back to more than a century ago, when men had no other way of overcoming such an obstacle than their own legs… Reaching the top floor of a tall building required effort, and contemplating a vast panorama from above was only possible by mountaineering, unless someone had first taken the time to build… a staircase! With industrial inventions, everything has changed and today we can, for example, reach dizzying heights without suffering by getting into a simple elevator.
But, continuing our dialogue, I ask you: what is the point of being many meters above the ground, while the soul is unable to rise to the heights of virtue?
You, reader, will ask me: “It’s easy to talk, it’s hard to practice. Holiness is not so simple! It requires suffering, dedication, perseverance…” I confess that this question is also on my mind. Since none of us can answer it adequately, there is nothing better than turning to an authoritative witness, someone who has been through the same situation and overcome the challenge, a doctor on the subject.
The 19th century saw profound changes in human existence. It was during this period that elevators appeared and, having spread their use, gradually became commonplace.
However, another and more important transformation was taking place at the same time: a new path to holiness was opening up for the young Frenchwoman Teresa Martin.
On a trip to Italy, she had a lot of fun with her sister Celina in the elevators of Rome. This pastime, so childish and so commonplace that many of us also enjoy it, remained in her memory and would later serve as a lesson for her… and for us!
Let’s listen to her words: “Now you no longer have to climb the steps of a staircase: in the homes of the rich, an elevator is an advantageous substitute. As for me, I also wished I could find an elevator to go up to Jesus, because I’m too small to climb the rough ladder of perfection.” St. Therese of the Child Jesus’ legacy to the Church consisted of opening up a way in which the conquest of virtue is achieved not through fear, but through charity, with which all the small acts of daily life are embalmed.
The eminent and simple Doctor of the Church continues: “I went to look in the Sacred Books for an indication of the elevator, the object of my desire, and I read these words uttered by the mouth of Eternal Wisdom: ‘If anyone is little, let him come to me’ (Pr 9:4).So I approached, guessing that I had discovered what I was looking for. Wondering, oh my God, what you would do with the little one who responded to your call, I continued my search and here is what I found: ‘As a mother caresses her little child, so I will comfort you; I will cradle you to my bosom and caress you on my knees’ (cf. Is 66:13, 12).”3
Here is the answer to our doubt: we can undoubtedly reach the highest holiness. The difficulties will remain, because it is through the cross that we reach the light; but they will be softened by the ointment of love, which can only penetrate those who recognize their shortcomings and trust entirely in God’s action.
This is why St. Therese concludes: “The elevator that must take me up to heaven is your arms, Jesus! That’s why I don’t need to grow; on the contrary, I need to remain small and become smaller and smaller”.
Text taken from Heralds of the Gospel Magazine no. 262, October 2023.By Geovana Ignez Procópio dos Santos.
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
