Yesterday, was the Feast of Saint Clare and in my Franciscan
meeting we had Root Bear Floats to celebrate.
I forget sometimes the importance of studying the life of the saints, of
getting to know them as close friends. Though
I love Saint Francis, I don’t ever resort to calling on his beloved best friend,
Clare. As you may know Saint Francis
established three communities one for men, one for women and a Secular Order for people who want to live his
spirituality out in the world. Francis
never had plans to do this, but slowly the need for each community came to life
as people fell a deep connection to his way of life. Beautiful Clare came from a family of
nobility, her family was busy making a match for her to marry, but she refused
all suitors because she felt a great desire to give herself to God. After years of secretly meeting with Francis she realized that she wanted to follow the same path.
Her family didn’t support her desire for religious life, so
on Palm Sunday she left her home traveling to a little church where Saint
Francis cut her hair and she received the poor habit of the friars. Though her family tried to persuade her to
return home, she persisted and they soon realized that she wasn’t coming home. She dedicated her life to the poor and to
Christ. Her life in the convent was
filled with much physical suffering due to chronic illness that brought much
pain. In addition, she struggled most of
her life trying to receive approval for her Rule and only two days before she
died was it granted. She was an
exceptionally bright woman, who showed such a profound spiritual understanding
that Popes, Cardinals and bishops all came for her counsel.
In learning more about her life, in community with my
Franciscan brothers and sisters I realized how much I need to become better
friends with Saint Clare. I admire her
spirit of persistence. Many times I feel
like giving up and the only surrender that needs to happen is my surrender to
God’s will. If I already prayed and made
the decision to entrust God with my situation, then I need to do my best to
move forward with my day; to fight the temptation to dwell until I become anxious
and desperate and focus instead on loving and serving others. Clare persisted in doing good even though at
times it seemed like she might not get approval for her Rule, she didn’t allow
herself to despair, but trusted in God’s will.
Her persistence is what I most feel drawn to today, because it’s a trait
that I need to emulate. It’s too easy to
give up, but with friends like Saint Clare, God shows that all is possible for
those who trust in the Lord.
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