ily, the thought that does me most
good is--the simplicity of their home-life. Our Lady and St.
Joseph were well aware that Jesus was God, while at the same time
great wonders were hidden from them, and--like us--they lived by
faith. You have heard those words of the Gospel: 'They understood
not the word that He spoke unto them';[15] and those others no
less mysterious: 'His Father and Mother were wondering at those
things which were spoken concerning Him.'[16] They seemed to be
learning something new, for this word 'wondering' implies a
certain amount of surprise."

* * * * * *

"There is a verse in the Divine Office which I recite each day
with reluctance: 'I have inclined my heart to do Thy
justifications for ever, because of the reward.'[17] I hasten to
add in my heart: 'My Jesus, Thou knowest I do not serve Thee for
sake of reward, but solely out of love, and a desire to win Thee
souls."

* * * * * *

"In Heaven only shall we be in possession of the clear truth. On
earth, even in matters of Holy Scripture, our vision is dim. It
distresses me to see the differences in its translations, and had
I been a Priest I would have learned Hebrew, so as to read the
Word of God as He deigned to utter it in human speech."

* * * * * *

Soeur Therese often spoke to me of a well-known toy with which she
had amused herself when a child. This was the kaleidoscope, shaped
like a small telescope, through which, as it is made to revolve,
one perceives an endless variety of pretty-coloured figures.

"This toy," she said, "excited my admiration, and I wondered what
could provide so charming a phenomenon, when one day, after a
lengthy examination, I found that it consisted simply of tiny bits
of paper and cloth scattered inside. A further examination
revealed that there were three mirrors inside the tube, and the
problem was solved. It became for me the illustration of a great
truth.

"So long as our actions, even the most trivial, remain within
Love's kaleidoscope, so long the Blessed Trinity, figured by the
three mirrors, imparts to them a wonderful brightness and beauty.
The eye-piece is Jesus Christ, and He, looking from outside
through Himself into the kaleidoscope, finds perfect all our
works. But, should we leave that ineffable abode of Love, He would
see but the rags and chaff of unclean and worthless deeds."

* * * * * *

I told Soeur Therese of the strange phenomena produc