Today’s readings are a great way to round out our weekday Masses. In the reading from the Book of Exodus, we have a recap from Moses of all God has done for the Israelites; everything from hearing the voice of God speaking from a fire to leading them out of slavery in Egypt to overcoming mightier nations so that they may have their own land. Moses reminds them so that they will fix and know in their heart that the Lord is God of heaven and earth and that there is no other.
One Person Can Make a Difference
Moses reminds them and us to follow God’s statutes and commandments, and if they do, then their children and they will prosper and have a long life in the land God has given to them forever.
As human beings, we need to be reminded of how God has brought our ancestors and us through different parts of our lives up to and including today! And, to that end, God brings special people into our lives.
As I read about today’s saint, I was reminded of how one person can make all the difference at a key point in your life. I believe that God, in His providence, acts through people that we meet to put us on the path that we are meant to travel.
Saint Clare
When an 18-year-old future Saint Clare heard the future St. Francis of Assisi preach, his message touched her so deeply that she secretly left home and joined Francis’ community, eventually receiving her habit from him and then going to a nearby Benedictine convent. She would later be made superior of a community in San Damiano.
For some, St. Clare’s decision to leave home and become a religious sister may seem foolish and limiting. The argument would be that she missed out on worldly pleasures and never had a chance to live her life. While it’s true that it’s better for some to wait until they know what they are giving up or grow in maturity to enter into the formation and the discernment process of religious life or priesthood, there have always been and will always be some young women and men who sense God’s call so strongly, that they want to begin a life given to God and the Church at a younger age.
The people I know who heard God’s call early on told me that it began when they were very young, and they grew up sensing that they would become a priest, brother, or sister.
My Great-Aunt Mildred, also known as Sister Jeanne Marie Reynolds, felt that calling early on, but her mother, a convert to the faith, had her graduate from college and teach for several years before she received her parent’s blessing. And, from the moment she entered the Sisters of Mercy Convent, she was joy-filled and loved her religious sisters and the students they taught throughout the Fall River Diocese.
At times, we are faced with decisions, sometimes big ones, like marriage, religious life, or the priesthood, and then come the particular ways that we are called to love God and our families and neighbors within those vocations.
Called to a Good and Holy Life
The good news is that God has a plan for each of us. He calls us ... whether we are single, married, diocesan priest or religious sister or brother, or priest ... to live a life that is good and holy, a life that involves the love of God to the point we are willing to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow Him.
Sounds tough, and it can be, but the fulfillment and joy from giving our lives to God and our family, friends, and all He gives us, is unmatched and leads to our Promised Land, Heaven.
May God bless you and your families this holy day!
St. Clare … pray for us!
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