You should live in a way that wouldn't make sense unless God exists.
Someone recently tweeted these words from Dorothy Day, which have stayed with me. Yes, there are people who, for non-religious reasons, live a radically simple lifestyle, pursue justice tirelessly or selflessly spend themselves in kindness and service; but a life given as Dorothy Day gave hers requires a deep foundation and a deep faith, if only to make sense of choices and sacrifices made. And, though this wasn't her specific intention, Day was also describing religious life, whose only sense is God, and being captivated and impelled beyond oneself by his infinite love.
And it occurs to me that those words are especially right for today's saint, Philippine Duchesne - and not simply because she gave herself generously and without reserve, in a lifelong, faithful witness to the existence and the love and the primacy of God. Philippine's life was filled with disappointments, setbacks, and hopes and dreams turned to dust; with misunderstandings, clerical bullying, financial problems, delays in communication and extremely tough living conditions. She struggled on so many levels, and was all too keenly aware of every failure.
And yet... she clung to God. In the midst of so many difficulties and so little success, Philippine ploughed on, working hard and praying even harder, somehow spending her life knowing and making known God's infinite love. She lived her life in a way which only made sense because of God, in deep faith and constant hope, and blazing, all-consuming love. And in here she found her strength, and the source of what must have been a mysteriously immeasurable joy.
And somehow, at an unfathomable depth, she was able to make this quietly faith-filled prayer her own: I am where God wills me to be, and so I have found rest and security. His wisdom governs me, His power defends me, His grace sanctifies me, His mercy encompasses me, His joy sustains me and all will go well with me.
May her prayers accompany us, in our efforts and our struggles, that we too may live and love in a way that only makes sense because God exists...
Someone recently tweeted these words from Dorothy Day, which have stayed with me. Yes, there are people who, for non-religious reasons, live a radically simple lifestyle, pursue justice tirelessly or selflessly spend themselves in kindness and service; but a life given as Dorothy Day gave hers requires a deep foundation and a deep faith, if only to make sense of choices and sacrifices made. And, though this wasn't her specific intention, Day was also describing religious life, whose only sense is God, and being captivated and impelled beyond oneself by his infinite love.
And it occurs to me that those words are especially right for today's saint, Philippine Duchesne - and not simply because she gave herself generously and without reserve, in a lifelong, faithful witness to the existence and the love and the primacy of God. Philippine's life was filled with disappointments, setbacks, and hopes and dreams turned to dust; with misunderstandings, clerical bullying, financial problems, delays in communication and extremely tough living conditions. She struggled on so many levels, and was all too keenly aware of every failure.
 |
| Detail from statue of Philippine St Louis Cathedral gardens Photo - Lori Wilson |
And somehow, at an unfathomable depth, she was able to make this quietly faith-filled prayer her own: I am where God wills me to be, and so I have found rest and security. His wisdom governs me, His power defends me, His grace sanctifies me, His mercy encompasses me, His joy sustains me and all will go well with me.
May her prayers accompany us, in our efforts and our struggles, that we too may live and love in a way that only makes sense because God exists...
Comments
Post a Comment