Monday, January 24, 2011

Today's Feast: St. Francis de Sales


What is the use of building castles in Spain when we have to live in France? ~St. Francis de Sales

Ave Maria! Or perhaps my greeting should be "Live Jesus!" because today is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, who often said and wrote these words. His entire life was about "living Jesus," which he did with enormous devotion. We don't use that word much today and may even look upon it askance because it seems archaic. For St. Francis, however, devotion meant love; thus, from his perspective, devotion remains highly relevant for us today. We could even think of his spiritual classic, Introduction to the Devout Life, as an introduction to the life of love -- the eternal love of God who "placed you in this world not because he needs you in any way -- you are altogether useless to him -- but only to exercise his goodness in you by giving you his grace and glory" (Bk I, Ch 10) . Love begets love, and as St. Francis leads us through his Introduction, he suggests time-honored practical and well-balanced ways to show God that we do love him and all His children.

The genius of the Introduction is that it applies to all men and women in every vocation, time and place. Everyone can and must love God, each person in his and her own unique way. St. Francis is most adamant about this! He strongly emphasizes how crucial it is for each one of us being totally faithful to the life to which God has called us. True devotion, he insists, enhances our vocation and life: it "hinders nothing, but on the contrary it perfects everything...it adorns and beautifies all" (Introduction, Bk I, Ch 3).
Dear St. Francis de Sales, help us to bloom where we are planted for the honor and glory of God who loves us so! Amen!

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