Great works do not always lie in our way, but every moment we may do little ones excellently, that is, with great love.
St. Francis de Sales
I wonder how it makes you feel when you learn about the life of a saint. For me, it can go two ways: I am either inspired or brought low by the stark contrast of my own inadequacies! When I came across the above quote I did a little digging on the man. I was heartened when, among the countless good things he did, it was revealed he had spoken about his quick temper that took him 20 years to conquer. Not that anyone even suspected they were literally trying the patience of a saint!
Italian born Francis de Sales (1567-1622) studied law in Padua but after gaining his doctorate became a priest instead. At 35, he was appointed bishop of Geneva. His gentle, sunny character was a great asset in winning souls.
His work lives on in pamphlets, letters, and books. (He is regarded as the patron saint of writers and journalists.) He wrote in
Introduction to the Devout Life, “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman….” He was trying to help us understand that we too are called to be saints. If that seems as difficult to you as it does me then we can, as Francis advises, choose to work, even in our small way, with great love. Now, I find that an inspiring challenge and I hope you do too.
God bless
Teresa
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