August 11 2021 - St. Clare of Assisi - The supreme good of knowing Jesus Christ

 

As a member of the Italian aristocracy, the beautiful Clare of Assisi lived in a castle, she had many suitors, in a sense she was the medieval equivalent of a Disney princess—set to live a life of luxury and comfort. Yet, through the preaching of il poverello, the poor Francis of Assisi, the Lord beckoned Clare to a life of radical holiness—of poverty, chastity, and obedience as a cloistered nun. Instead of marrying prince charming, and living in a castle filled with worldly luxury, she adorned her soul with virtue and holiness and love for the Savior within the cloister.

She took the words of St. Paul in our first reading today to heart: “I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.”

It was counter-cultural when Paul wrote these words, it was counter-cultural for Clare, and it is certainly counter-cultural now. But the words remain true. The stuff of the world is rubbish compared to the love of Jesus Christ. Knowing Christ, loving Christ, is the supreme good, the highest good, above all else.  Everything we do must be aimed at pursuing this highest good.

Clare was joined in the cloister by a number of women whose hearts had also caught fire. Many, like her, were eligible to marry dukes and kings.  Princess Agnes, of Bohemia broke off her royal engagement  to the emperor Frederick II to join religious life with Clare.

Listen to these words written by Clare upon hearing the decision of Princess Agnes to join the monastery: “I am filled with joy and gladness, for though you could have enjoyed the magnificence, and dignity, and honor of the world, you have rejected all these things.  Keep in your heart the burning desire to unite yourself to the poor and crucified Christ.  What a wonderful and praiseworthy exchange!  To leave the things of time, for those of eternity, to possess a blessed eternal life.”

Clare found joy and holiness in the monastery, as have generations of consecrated religious after her. What a blessed vocation! As our culture becomes increasingly secular, many young people do not even consider a religious vocation. It’s harder and harder to do so when their families don’t even bring them to church. So whenever we can help young people hear the Lord calling them to follow Him we must. For the Lord has so much more to offer than the world ever could. 

May St. Clare be a constant reminder and intercessor for us, to seek that which is above, always and everywhere, and help others do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

For an increase in vocations to the consecrated religious life, that young people may hear the Lord calling them to radical holiness, and for the Poor Clares and all those consecrated religious under St. Clare’s patronage, for their sanctification, and that they may be a witness to the whole Church to seek the holiness for which we were made.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering. 

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.