Waxing Brilliant

I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
– St. Brigid of Ireland

When I went to Catholic elementary school, I was taught by nuns from Ireland. Most had a thick brogue, watered down a bit from living in the States. And they told us how different life for them was in Ireland. The nuns experienced culture shock living in an American suburb and seeing how their students' lives differed so much from their own childhoods. Once in a while, one of the nuns would ask us questions such as "Do you really watch TV while you do your homework? How do you expect to concentrate?" and then add sternly "Turn that box off! It won't get you into college." Yes, we were all going to college, girls included.

Because, you see, each student was precious to the nuns. Each one of us had potential. They believed in us. And whenever we managed to write our best, figure out the thorny math problem or give a good speech, the nuns had us thinking we were waxing brilliant.

"See? You are smarter than you believe," the nuns would say quietly. There was no handing out of saints medals or scapulars, no award that was tangible, but the accolades bestowed upon the prized student of the day was far more of a treasure than that. They gave us the gift of confidence in our ability to learn, a lifelong prize.

Of course a classroom of geniuses just doesn't happen so I can't ascribe all of this to the talents of their students. What I do ascribe it to are the words of St. Brigid above, that I heard often during my childhood and saw online this morning. Teaching that includes charity, mercy, peace and cheerfulness can only serve to enhance and build up, not tear down, a student's confidence. How often when I hear parents of children with disabilities tell me of some of their children's struggles that I wish I could bring back one of my teachers! And how I wish that children all over the world, even in the poorest places where they struggle to eat, could receive the gift of education. [ A Jesuit talks about his time in Kenya. (For a video at Monastic Musings, click here.)]


{Food for the Poor Inc. is a Christian organization that is rated here.]

"If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all."

- St Peter Canisius

The patience of a flea

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.
Saint Francis de Sales
French saint & bishop of Geneva (1567 - 1622)

My Irish grandmother had a bevy of colorful sayings which she shared with us while we were growing up. Whenever the four of us clamored for something to happen sooner, she'd turn to us and say "You have the patience of a flea."

I never was very patient, being a Type A. And I wouldn't say that when I acquired my disability, I automatically received the patience I needed to deal with being a quadriplegic. (Yet another myth about disability falls by the wayside.) I'm more patient than I was but there are days when I have a hectic time at work and fret over how long it takes me to do things. Waiting for help is part of the equation. That's not always easy.

However, I've made progress. A few years after becoming disabled, I ran across this quote from St. Francis de Sales about patience. I realized that my frustrations arose mostly from a lack of patience - a trait I always had - not necessarily from what was going on. I had a choice as to how to react to circumstances. And, more importantly, I realized that it was okay to be patient with myself - whether it was in dealing with my tendency toward impatience or the fact that my quadriplegia resulted in getting things done at a slower pace.

I've made some strides with this. I've learned to stop and pray when my impatience descends. And, hopefully, my courage to face these imperfections, as St. Francis says, will continue - and that courage, I know, comes from God.

When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that proceeding from the mouth.
– St. Bonaventure

True charity consists in putting up with all one's neighbor's faults, never being surprised by his weakness, and being inspired by the least of his virtues.
– St. Therese of Lisieux

When Christ gives CPR

And what wilt thou do with my heart, O Christ?
– St. John Houghton, while being gutted

So this is today's Saint quote of the day over at my homepage.

It's the kind of quote that can make me react in a dangerous way - thinking that following Christ is such a high standard that I can't possibly do it, so I don't even try. How can this guy be saying such a thing while he's being gutted? It makes me stop and think: how far from that state of mind am I?

I don't even say things like this when someone cuts me off when I'm driving. I don't stop and turn to Christ and ask for guidance with my heart.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not aiming to be a saint. I'm just trying to use the saints as a spiritual example and learn from their lives, like I was taught to do. The saints, even in their human-ness, emulated very spiritual behaviors and I know that I can learn things from them if I pay attention to their words, actions and - yes- their hearts.

I've spent my life looking at their words and actions but I think I left out the heart part. I'm a Type A. I like to get things fixed. I like to help people. And in my rush to do, I forget to "be". I've learned over the years that I need to tone that down and I pray to be more balanced, especially in my relationships with people. I also stuff my feelings, to the detriment of my overall health. I stuff anger. I chide myself for crying while grieving. Or I chide myself for being childish and laughing at the cookie monster sometimes. I don't let my heart be. And I don't turn my heart over to Christ.

Then there's the other reading of this quote, the complete turning over of St. John's life and body to Christ. "I am yours, even in death, to do with as you will, O Lord," his words imply. I think of those in other countries who die for their beliefs and it humbles me.

I have never made this simple prayer, this spiritual question that shows humility, trust and utter reliance on God. I will have to stop during the day when facing trials and joys as well, all part of the fabric of life - and utter the words:

"And what wilt thou do with my heart, O Christ?"

For love is the life of the soul.
– St. Francis de Sales

Known for his gentle nature, St. Francis de Sales said he spent 20 years overcoming his bad temper. Although his parents wanted him to be a lawyer and he did take a seat in the Senate, he followed his calling and became a priest and, eventually, a bishop.

He wrote the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God and many pamphlets. He has been named patron of the Catholic Press.

today's Saint quote is like a wish list....

I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
– St. Brigid of Ireland


...isn't this a wonderful thing?

"Whatever thou doest, offer it up to God and pray it may be for His honor
and glory."
-- St. Teresa of Avila

God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed. ~Saint Augustine

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?
-- St. Gerard Majella