August 11, 2009
Memorial of St. Clare
By Beth DeCristofaro
(Moses said) …the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan….Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:2, 6)
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4)
Piety
"They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" (Attributed to St. Clare)
God of Mercy, You inspired Saint Clare with the love of poverty. By the help of her prayers, may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit and come to the joyful vision of your glory in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
(http://www.2heartsnetwork.org/Clare.htm)
Study
So many stories in the Gospel give us glimpses of God’s infinite love become personal and individual. Matthew recounted Peter’s leap out of the boat and attempted walk on the water. We met a woman who faced down Jesus to demand the “scraps” of his gifts which would heal her daughter. And we have been following the Israelites and Moses, pursuing an invitation from God during many trials in the desert. Today we see God’s champion, Moses, not reap the reward of herding, cajoling, and even, at times, bullying the Israelites through 40 years of wandering and faith building. So what’s that about?
Instead of setting my trajectory toward God, I can set my sights on something less and lose my way – wander in the desert. Sometimes doubts cloud or even determine my actions. For example, I do not let my elected officials know my thoughts because I doubt it will do any good. Or I do not get involved in a community activity because the people for whom it is targeted should stop being so demanding of my time, money and resources. My self-interest colors the way I see the less fortunate: why don’t they pay taxes like the rest of us and get jobs so they can get their own health care? There are times when I hold back or qualify my loving actions, my Christian actions. Perhaps I am churlish as I do the housework, steaming about the fact that “no one else cleans up around here” and making darn sure that my family knows my dissatisfaction.
My stories will never be written down (I hope!) but they can enlighten my growth in God if I pay attention to them. God’s love is free and all encompassing. God asks that my free will be directed toward loving – toward leaping out of the boat and walking on water with him. Toward taking not only the scraps, but the main course and best wine of my life and giving it to others, including those I visualize as dogs. If I root myself and trust in God’s love, God’s presence, what does it matter if I am cleaning a house, working in a hospital, or paying extra taxes so an immigrant elder or poverty-stricken child can see a doctor when needed? Moses was not able to enter the Promised Land but God’s love wasn’t removed from him. In fact, in spite of dashed dreams Moses knew – and proclaimed – God’s special love of him! He was rooted in God’s love which was not depended on getting the “just reward” he was promised. His reward was God’s favor.
Action
In what ways am I standing at the brink of God’s promised love and refusing to step into it? How can I lovingly and with confidence take that leap, open myself to every possibility of God’s love even if it seem to be giving rather than receiving? Am I seeking the good in the other, personally and in my social and economic choices? Read Matthew’s passage about childlike humility and read the papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate this week.
Give thanks for the opportunity to see God anew – and for our new babe chicks!
