Day 73. Sinners See with Eyes of Gratitude
Every claim or presumption on the part of those called is…radically excluded. Their entire heart and spirit should be filled with an amazed and deeply felt gratitude.
St. John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis
Yesterday we concluded by considering those who rule out a vocation from the get-go. You’re not one of these. The fact that you’ve stayed with this novena demonstrates a commitment and seriousness that is commendable. May God honor your efforts and reward your search with clarity.
Still, don’t you feel like you’re in over your head? You’re trying to be open but you can’t avoid the sense that a religious or priestly vocation isn’t for you. “I’m no saint.” you may say, “Leave the radical stuff for the ‘churchy’ types; the people who love stained glass windows and long sermons and hours spent in hard, wooden pews.”
I’ve got a surprise for you: radical gratitude isn’t for the pious or the “righteous” types, but only for those with eyes to see – and they come from all stripes. Two examples from scripture might clarify. The first is a story from the Gospels that St. John Paul II often quoted. It’s about a wealthy young man who comes to Jesus seeking eternal life. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” Jesus lists the commandments, “You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal…, honor your father and mother.” The man is encouraged and affirms his credentials: “All these I have observed from my youth.” (Mk. 10:17-22)
Now, if there is anyone in the Bible who fits the bill as a “churchy” type, he does. He says his prayers; he goes to synagogue; he plays by-the-book. In all respects this guy is a good egg. And Jesus, the Gospel writer points out, “looked on him with love.” So everything is in place for a radical response to God’s generosity, right? Our Lord makes the offer: “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven then come follow me.” It’s like a pitcher throwing a fat, underhand lob. All the rich man has to do is smack it out of the ballpark. Surprisingly, he strikes out. He turns away. The price is too high – “…for he had many possessions.” For all that he has, when Jesus’ invitation comes, there is one key thing the young man lacks: radical gratitude. Since he does not recognize that all is gift, sadly, he walks away from the greatest gift of all.
“Who then can be saved?” the Lord’s disciples marvel. We may wonder the same about radical gratitude. If the churchy types don’t necessarily get it, who does? There is someone. We’ve seen her before.
She emerges from the pages of scripture shrouded in mystery. Though mentioned in each of the Gospels, the accounts are difficult to reconcile. In Luke, she is a notorious sinner – unlike the wealthy, churchy ruler above. In Matthew and Mark, she anoints Jesus' head; in Luke and John, his feet. In the synoptic tradition, she is unnamed, in John, she is identified as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha.
We’re not sure what prompts the gift she offers. For Mary, it is likely the raising of her brother from the dead. For the unnamed woman, it was probably the forgiveness of many sins, or a deliverance from demons. Not much is known about the nature of her sin, only that it is public knowledge. Her act of love toward Jesus, however, is well known.
The Gospels agree that it involves the breaking open or the pouring out of an expensive perfume. They agree that the sacrifice is great – a treasure so costly that those who witness her gift are scandalized and loudly express their disapproval. Jesus himself defends her and in Matthew’s account states “Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:13)
Novena Prayer
Jesus says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Pier Giorgio responds: I offer you my best wishes – or, rather, only one wish, but the only wish that a true friend can express for a dear friend: may the peace of the Lord be with you always! For if you possess peace every day, you will be truly rich.
Let us Pray: Blessed Pier Giorgio, despite your daily struggles, you found peace by fostering your own well being in work, study and play; in prayer alone and with others; in silence and in song, in laughter and in serious conversation with friends. Guide me to that inner peace which will enable me to share peace with others.
Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who is our peace, all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I confidently turn to you for help in my present need:
(in your own words, ask for the Lord to give you greater gratitude for the graces and gifts you have received from him.)
A Book of Prayers in Honor of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, by Rev. Timothy E. Deeter
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
SAINTS SAID IT
1. St. Augustine’s Conversion
What moves someone to radical gratitude? Though the woman who washed Jesus’ feet remains shrouded in mystery, we know from another great saint what happens in the heart of one who is touched by the saving grace of Christ. The following is among the most famous conversion stories in Christian history. Enjoy.
The streams of my eyes gushed out an acceptable sacrifice to thee. And, not indeed in these words, but to this effect, I cried to thee: "And thou, O Lord, how long? How long, O Lord? Wilt thou be angry forever? Oh, remember not against us our former iniquities." For I felt that I was still enthralled by them. I sent up these sorrowful cries: "How long, how long? Tomorrow and tomorrow? Why not now? Why not this very hour make an end to my uncleanness?"
I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when suddenly I heard the voice of a boy or a girl I know not which – coming from the neighboring house, chanting over and over again, "Pick it up, read it; pick it up, read it." Immediately I ceased weeping and began most earnestly to think whether it was usual for children in some kind of game to sing such a song, but I could not remember ever having heard the like. So, damming the torrent of my tears, I got to my feet, for I could not but think that this was a divine command to open the Bible and read the first passage I should light upon. For I had heard how Anthony, accidentally coming into church while the gospel was being read, received the admonition as if what was read had been addressed to him: "Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me." By such an oracle he was forthwith converted to thee.
So I quickly returned to the bench where Alypius was sitting, for there I had put down the apostle's book when I had left there. I snatched it up, opened it, and in silence read the paragraph on which my eyes first fell: "Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof." I wanted to read no further, nor did I need to. For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away.
Closing the book, then, and putting my finger or something else for a mark I began – now with a tranquil countenance – to tell it all to Alypius. …Then we went in to my mother, and told her what happened, to her great joy. We explained to her how it had occurred--and she leaped for joy triumphant; and she blessed thee, who art "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think."
… How sweet did it suddenly become to me to be without the sweetness of trifles! And it was now a joy to put away what I formerly feared to lose. For thou didst cast them away from me, O true and highest Sweetness. Thou didst cast them away, and in their place thou didst enter in thyself--sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood; brighter than all light, but more veiled than all mystery; more exalted than all honor, though not to them that are exalted in their own eyes. Now was my soul free from the gnawing cares of seeking and getting, of wallowing in the mire and scratching the itch of lust. And I prattled like a child to thee, O Lord my God--my light, my riches, and my salvation.
Confessions of St. Augustine, tr. by Albert C. OUtler, Ph.D., D.D. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-5021; Book VIII, Chs. 28-30; Book IX, Ch. 1
Have I ever experienced God’s mercy in a powerful way? What were the circumstances?
Supposing that I have never been caught up in the kind of sin St. Augustine was (he had a mistress and a child out of wedlock) what can inspire me with radical gratitude?
MY FAITH BUILDERS
2. What Holds Me Back?
How hard is it for me to give it my all? How difficult is it to even make up my mind? Do I often give less than my best, or do I over-commit and over-work? What limits my response to God? Prayerfully I consider the descriptive statements below.
A. I have second thoughts about big decisions – my major in college, or my first job, or a summer internship. It’s rare that I don’t go through inner struggles wondering, “Did I choose the right one?”
Always [ ] 2. Often [ ] 3. Sometimes [ ] 4. Rarely [ ] 5. Almost never [ ]
My thoughts:
B. I often realize that I’m not putting everything I’ve got into my work. And if I’m totally honest with myself, it’s because I don’t want to fail. I figure, if I do fail at least I can say, “Well, I wasn’t really trying.”
Always [ ] 2. Often [ ] 3. Sometimes [ ] 4. Rarely [ ] 5. Almost never [ ]
My thoughts:
C. I can only get into something – a project or activity – if I see it as worthwhile and productive. That’s why so much church stuff leaves me cold. Hey, if it’s serving the poor or something useful like that, I’m totally on-board. But if it’s just praying and singing and lots of God-talk, I start looking for the exits. I have no time for that. If religion isn’t useful, what good is it?”
Always [ ] 2. Often [ ] 3. Sometimes [ ] 4. Rarely [ ] 5. Almost never [ ]
My thoughts:
D. I like serving and I like getting involved. I’m in multiple leadership positions and throughout life I’ve often been asked to serve – in my work, at church, at school, everywhere. It’s always go-go-go for me, but people tell me I’m too busy and lack focus. It makes me angry. It’s important to me to do things well, so I push myself. If others want to take it easy, that’s up to them. But they shouldn’t criticize me for wanting excellence.
Always [ ] 2. Often [ ] 3. Sometimes [ ] 4. Rarely [ ] 5. Almost never [ ]
My thoughts:
As I consider the four examples above, which is most relatable to my own life? In what way does this way of living limit my ability to make a total gift of myself to God?
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”