“To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts” (Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus).
Saint Thérèse refers here to the work of the Holy Spirit through His seven gifts. When these are active in a soul, it begins to sail like a boat, as described so beautifully in ‘The Little Flower’. Before, the person had to row with their own strength, even though driven by the Holy Spirit. But now, under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit, her journey becomes easier.
This is not surprising, since it is the Father’s love that acts in the soul through the Holy Spirit. And this love is capable of transforming everything, as Saint Thérèse expresses in another of her phrases: “Love can do everything. Things that are impossible become easy where love is at work.”
When this happens, we are moved by the Holy Spirit and rivers of living water flow from our hearts to others, as the Lord assures us (Jn 7:38), and we spread seeds of joy and peace in their hearts.
Those who do not close themselves off completely will notice that a person driven by the Spirit does not emanate that earthly heaviness, but neither does she has the somewhat superficial attitude of ‘Hakuna matata’ (don’t worry, everything will be fine), which may impress some but leaves nothing in their souls. On the other hand, in an encounter guided by the Spirit of the Lord, it is the mystery of divine love that can touch the other person in various ways, perhaps giving them a seed of joy and peace that penetrates their heart, as St. Thérèse hopes.