This week our Church celebrated the Feast of St. Clare, the co-patroness of our Diocese (San Jose). A disciple of St. Francis of Assisi she was the founder of the Poor Clare Sisters. (A little internet research shows there are four different branches) In the Diocese of San Jose we have one of their houses Poor Clare Colettines of Immaculate Heart Monastery located in the Los Altos Hills. One of the most famous St. Clare stories her repelling the soldiers assaulting the city by raising the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament and immediately the soldiers fled and retreated from the city. Her trust in the power of the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus was not just shown that evening but was a constant in her life of prayer and devotion.
In remembering St. Clare I am reminded of the prayer for Venerable Pablo Maria Guzman’s where we pray, “with absolute confidence in the power of the Eucharist in all circumstances of his life” Why am I talking about these two holy and wonderful followers of Jesus Christ? First and foremost it is the belief, trust and love of Jesus Christ and their hope in a world that is more and more reflective of Jesus’ call to holiness. But with that is the reminder of the times and difficulties both St. Clare and Venerable Pablo Maria lived in during their lives. They were surrounded by wars, violence, turbulent riots, protests, persecutions and the silencing of voices. Does this sound familiar? Caught in the struggle for power each of these holy disciples focussed on Jesus and brought others closer to Him by their examples of a holy life. In many ways we too are caught in this same struggle: St. Clare with warfare and the laxity of faith and Venerable Pablo Maria living through the persecutions of the Catholic Church in Mexico through much of his life. We too must be like them and turn our focus towards our Lord who will lead and guide us through these times.
What can we do? The simple answer, as you know if you have read me before, is prayer. In fact it is the only answer because it is the example of Jesus in his own life on earth. Especially during this time when we are restricted from full worship, where are gatherings are limited and even the joyful noise of song has been taken from our mouths, the coming to the Eucharist, both in presence and in spiritual communion is the foundation of how we are called to be with God and the Church to become the agents of change in the hope of a world founded on God’s love.
Practically speaking it is remembering and refocusing our daily lives. As we hear during this time of quarantine, shelter-in-place and restrictions has born much fruit in many families and individuals but we also know the pain and suffering and the hurt that is a reality to many of our sisters and brothers. Like St. Clare and Venerable Pablo Maria, our prayers, our refocussing on the Eucharistic love God pours out upon does, will not end the craziness and suffering of our time, just as it did not take away the violence of war and persecution in their time. But it does begin to draw us and others closer to a place where the lion will lie with the lamb, rather than the acts of violence and voices of hatred screamed toward the other. It does mean our passions will be directed towards the virtues of Christian witness and the call to conversion in Jesus Christ and to be turned from destruction and the cancelling of life. It will mean the peace Jesus offers will reign in our hearts where we are then able to love our neighbor, even when it is hard, because we see the world as a place grace and abundance in God’s divine providence.
God Bless
Fr. Mark
I would encourage everyone to read and learn more about St. Clare and her remarkable life on formed.org
https://watch.formed.org/carousel/videos/formed-now-st-clare-of-assisi
https://watch.formed.org/clare-and-francis
If you are a young woman who feels drawn to a life of prayer and service I would encourage you to talk to the Poor Clare’s or other religious congregations. If you don’t know where to look, give me a call and I will help you.