Our Saint of the Day bravely met the lions 🦁 in the Circus Maximus.
October 17, 2024
Dear John,
Today’s Pause+Pray about beauty reminded me of my first time visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It was fitting, I felt, that close to the entrance was a stunning statue of St. Teresa of Avila, for the beauty of the basilica mirrors our own “interior castle,” whether we choose to believe this or not.
Beauty is a core component to Franciscan theology, for it invites us into authentic spiritual experience—into the spiritual practice of “gazing,” as St. Clare writes in her letter to Agnes of Prague, and then into contemplation. Whereas much theology is about “correct thinking,” St. Bonaventure and other Franciscan theologians encourage us to open our senses to receive the “good, true, and beautiful” that is rising up in our everyday lives.
I hope this experiential, uniquely Franciscan, approach to beauty encourages you today and stirs your heart to contemplation and receiving God’s blessings through the gift that is your life.
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Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome.
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.
The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. “The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ.”
Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.
Reflection
Ignatius’ great concern was for the unity and order of the Church. Even greater was his willingness to suffer martyrdom rather than deny Christ. He did not draw attention to his own suffering, but to the love of God which strengthened him. He knew the price of commitment and would not deny Christ, even to save his own life.
Some years ago, a friend gently suggested an exercise for me. He told me to picture myself on a shore or dock watching a ship approaching. As the ship neared, I realized I knew people on this ship, for the suggestion was to see all whom I was harboring a resentment. I decided to write down the names of those getting off the ship, thinking I’d see two or three people, but I stopped writing after filling two columns on a legal pad. And there were still people getting off the ship! I was able to let go of some resentments immediately, while others I had to work at.
The solution to resentments is forgiveness. I am releasing them and regaining the power I had been giving to them. As others have written, the person who benefits most from forgiving is the one who forgives.
The Church has been a champion of beauty for over 2,000 years. At times she may have over emphasized material beauty or been involved in misguided spending, however the Church has left a legacy of beautiful church buildings, literature, music, art, and ideas for all the world to ponder. Just stepping into an ancient cathedral in Europe can lead to conversion. Beauty lifts our hearts, souls, and imaginations to heaven, while enabling us to envision a more beautiful kingdom on earth.
Pray
God of beauty, help us always to seek the good, true, and beautiful, so that we may become like you—good, true, and beautiful. May we come to recognize beauty even—or especially—in the broken places, in the broken people. And when we encounter beauty in the majesty of nature or the genius of artistic creation, may we give thanks and praise, for you are always the source. As conduits of your grace and light, we ask simply to be attuned to your presence. Amen.
Act
Meditate on a beautiful statue, painting, or piece of music. What is God saying to you through that work of art?
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Bond Strong. Learn more here!
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