classic Saturday

I found this week's bio. of the author even more fascinating than the selection. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) was born in Italy and was 24 of 25 children in her family! By age 7, Catherine had vowed virginity to God. At age 15, she cut off her hair to defy her parents' efforts to arrange marriage. At 18, she became a Dominican nun and lived in solitude and silence for 3 years (only coming out of her room for mass). When Catherine was 21, she returned to her family and spent her life helping the poor by serving as a nurse in homes and hospitals. She was able to maintain a rich inner life of silence and devotion to God, and was even known to help settle political disputes and social unrest until she died at age 33.

The quote comes from one of her works entitled The Dialogue.

"When my goodness saw that you could be drawn in no other way, I sent him to be lifted onto the wood of the cross. I made of that cross an anvil where this child of humankind could be hammered into an instrument to release humankind from death and restore it to the life of grace. In this way he drew everything to himself: for he proved his unspeakable love, and the human heart is always drawn by love. He could not have shown you greater love than by giving his life for you (John 15:13). You can hardly resist being drawn by love, then, unless you foolishly refuse to be drawn."

I was struck by two things in this week's devotional. First, Catherine's significant wisdom, devotion, and contributions to the world at such a young age remind me of how God can and does powerfully work through young people sold out to Christ. Second, Catherine understood and lived the "inside-out" life. It was her rich inner life with God that spilled out into an active life of service to God.

I can tell when I am out of whack; when my outer life activity begins to compete or crowd out the inner sanctuary. Even if some disciplines are in place, they can become hurried or stay pretty close to the surface in a busy season. Often for me, the only thing that cuts deep through to the center are some pretty lengthy doses of silence and solitude.. I'm due for some retreating into the rest of such "unspeakable love" here at the end of this year. You?