February 10 2020 - St. Scholastica - Those who love more can do more

St. Gregory the Great said, “Since God is love, then surely he can do more who loves more.”  We certainly see the power of love at work in the life of St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict.

Like Benedict, Scholastica heard the call of God to leave the worldliness of the city in order to pursue the call of radical holiness. The two siblings helped each other start a community for religious women about five miles south of Benedict’s monastery in Monte Cassino.

We only have one story of Scholastica, but it’s a great story. Because they were so dedicated to their holy way of life, the holy siblings were only able to visit together once a year, and only for a short while, for they both had to return to their communities according to their rule of life. One year, they met at a residence half way between their two communities to spend the day praying and  speaking of God and the spiritual life.

When Benedict said he had to return to the monastery, Scholastica begged him to stay and talk awhile longer. Benedict refused, saying that his rule required that the monks be in their monastery at night. Desiring their holy conversation to continue, Scholastica folded her hands, put her head on the table, and prayed. As she prayed, a storm began, so terrible that no one could venture out. "What have you done?" Benedict exclaimed to his sister. She explained that she entrusted their time together to the will of God and God granted this favor.

Benedict and Scholastica continued their conversation and prayer until morning.  And then both returned to their monastery. Three days later, while praying in his cell, Benedict had a vision that his sister had died.  In his vision, her soul rose to heaven in the form of a dove.  Benedict buried his sister in the tomb that had he had originally prepared for himself.

When we love God, our priorities begin to coincide with His. For Scholastica and Benedict, it was a holy conversation, and lives dedicated to seeking radical holiness. Love of God opens up new pathways, new possibilities, that we never thought possible before, whether its calming a storm, founding a religious community, overcoming sinful habits and engaging in new modes of charity and service.

- - - - - - - -

May St. Scholastica help us to love God with such purity and trust, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
For the good of the Church, for the Pope and his prayer intentions for this month: that the needs of migrants and victims of human trafficking may be heard and acted upon.

For those in religious life, that like St. Scholastica they may shine as beacons of Christ’s light and love in the world, and for an increase in vocations to the consecrated life.

For a healing of all the wounds of sin and divisions in families, that the love of God may govern all families, for a healing of troubled marriages, and for all engaged couples.

For the sick and suffering, and for all of our beloved dead, especially X, for whom this mass is offered.