Monday, April 27, 2015

Stay the Course - The Second Letter of St Clare to St Agnes

In reading the second letter of St Clare to St Agnes the theme that strikes me is to stay the course and don't let anyone dissuade you from that course.  The course is her life as a bride of Christ and living in poverty.  Agnes has given up a life in court and a chance to be married to the Emperor.  Instead she has chosen to live the life of the Poor Ladies of Assisi.

Clare tells her to walk this path of happiness tranquilly, joyfully, briskly, and cautiously. You can undstand the first three.  We are usually told to take whatever path we choose and run with it, but Clare also adds to walk that path with caution and to follow the Minister Generals advice over others.  Everyone these days tries, and back then as well, wants to tell us we don't need to do anything difficult to be a Christian.  There are those who say all you have to do is give your life to God and then live your life the way you want, all sins are forgiven.  If you have really given your life to God how can you lead your self centered life.  You life is Gods life now and if you are living for Him you can't just live your life your way.

Luckily for us, God's life is a life of love.  Clare Reminds us that this is a life contempt able to the world.  If your life is not contempt able to the world you maybe on the wrong path.  If you live a life of love, filled with Christ and not concerned with worldly things, the world will think you are a fool.  That is a good sign that you have chosen the path of happiness.

Clare ends her letter reminding us to spend time gazing on and contemplating Christ.  Without that it will be impossible for us to follow Him.  We will lose our way and the strength to continue.  Christ is both our guide and our strength.  He is literally the food for our journey.

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